Underage Drinking Enforcement

Law enforcement activities are critical to limiting underage alcohol access and consumption as well as reducing the consequences of underage drinking, i.e., traffic crashes, binge drinking, assaults and vandalism.

Underage drinking enforcement can reduce underage drinking by limiting availability and intervening in its actual use, in addition to impaired driving patrols after the fact. Officers work with retailers to prevent sales to minors, and compliance checks confirm that retailers are following the law. Party Patrol details address underage drinking in private residences and open areas, and controlled dispersal training prevents further problems that can arise from breaking up the parties.

Grant Funded Overtime Enforcement

Grantees are selected on an annual basis through problem identification of traffic crash, underage drinking and substance abuse data.

Funds can be used for overtime enforcement in the following ways:

Community and/or school events, such as proms, sporting events, fairs or festivals. The project director should meet with event planners prior to showing up at an event. Security for special events is the responsibility of the event planners; observing the event by officers is not an acceptable use of grant funds. Officers are expected to patrol parking lots, perimeters and other areas where teens may be able to consume alcohol.

Compliance checks at on- and off-site liquor licensees. Further information from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission is included in this section.

"Cops in Shops" where law enforcement officers work cooperatively with retailers to cite minors who attempt to purchase alcohol. Minors should be cited when using false or fraudulent identification to purchase alcohol and when they approach adults to purchase alcohol for them.

Party details that are either scheduled in advance or are in response to a tip. Enforcement action should include citations to minors who are drinking as well as the adults who are providing the alcohol. Source investigations send the community a strong enforcement message.