GFPD Alcohol Compliance Operation 4/12/2024

April 12, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alcohol Compliance Operation

GREAT FALLS, Montana – During the evening hours of April 11, 2024, we conducted a compliance check of 25 businesses selling alcohol within the city limits of Great Falls. The purpose of such compliance checks is to ensure liquor license holders are working to prevent the sale of alcohol to purchasers under the age of 21. We take a zero tolerance stance on these matters, as the safety of Great Falls’ youth is among our top priorities. The establishments are chosen randomly by the State of Montana, and these checks are supported by STOP act funds provided by the Alliance for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention stakeholders. Since the inception of mandatory alcohol server training in the State of Montana, we have seen a dramatic decrease in illegal sales of alcohol to persons under 21 years of age.

During last night’s compliance operation, volunteers were 19 or 20 years old and possessed a valid legal identification card or driver’s license. The volunteers showed their identification card to every server or seller who asked to see them.

Of the 25 establishments checked, 3 were closed or not open to the public, 17 passed, and 5 failed, for a success rate of 91%. This is a higher success rate compared to the last compliance check, conducted in August of 2023, when 76% succeeded.

The businesses and employees who successfully passed deserve well-earned congratulations for their diligence in preventing alcohol sales to underage purchasers. The employees who sold alcohol to the underage buyers were issued a citation for violating MCA 16-3-301 (Unlawful Sales/Transfer to a Person under 21 years of age.)

MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Black, Lieutenant 406-455-8522

ESTABLISHMENTS IN VIOLATION
Albertson's                        1414 3rd St NW
Players 2 Casino                2126 10th Ave S
Taco Treat                          2025 10th Ave S
Hollis' Hi Ho                      2600 10th Ave S
Smith's Food                    1601 Marketplace Dr

ESTABLISHMENTS IN COMPLIANCE, CLOSED, OR NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
2J's Natural Food                                 105 Smelter Ave NE
Eagle Falls Golf Club                            29 River Rd N
Loaf N Jug                                            900 1st Ave N
5 Cent Casino                                      211 NW Bypass
Fortune Casino                                    722 6th St NW
Mackenzie River Pizza                         500 River Dr. S
Aces Tavern                                         900 8th Ave NW
Gold Dust Casino                                770 6th St SW
Maple Garden                                     5401 9th Ave S
Albertsons                                           2250 10th Ave S
Great Falls Flying J                              3715 31st St SW
Noble's West Side Liquor Store         623 1st Ave NW
Applebees                                          223 River Dr. S
Halftime Sports Bar                           1101 NW Bypass
Players Casino                                    4305 10th Ave S
Conoco / Noon's                               5600 3rd Ave S
Icarus                                                 1200 10th Ave S
Snits                                                   619 Central Ave
Cowboy's Bar                                    311 3rd St NW
Kohoutek's State Liquor Store         1100 20th St S