Deputy Chief Christine Amendola would like to remind community members of the Reading Police Department’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with alcohol sales laws.
Law enforcement activities related to alcohol compliance may include compliance checks at restaurants and retail locations, reverse stings, party patrols, and “shoulder tap” and “Cops in Shops” programs.
Through a combination of these techniques, the Reading Police Department is able to monitor, analyze and take legal action when appropriate, on both minors who seek to circumvent the law and the people and businesses that enable them.
Historically, there has been a multi-faceted effort spearheaded by police, town, and school leaders working with the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support to address alcohol compliance and underage drinking prevention.
Improvements in local liquor policy have yielded a strong compliance rate. Approximately 96% of all Reading businesses have passed previous compliance checks.
In recent years, Reading has seen a decrease in alcohol risk behaviors for local high school youth. However, impaired driving and alcohol related crashes among individuals under 21 are still high.
The Reading Police Department will continue to monitor local liquor establishments and local businesses. Communities, like Reading, that restrict the availability of alcohol to underage drinkers experience fewer crashes and less crimes.
The Reading Police Department would like to remind the community that preventing underage drinking is everyone’s responsibility.
