Reading Police continue alcohol enforcement efforts

The Department highlights its ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with alcohol sales laws.

Jun 26, 2024 12:03 PM EDT | Updated Jun 26, 2024 12:10 PM EDT

Press release via Reading Police

READING, MA – Chief David Clark wants to highlight the Reading Police Department’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with alcohol sales laws.

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Alcohol enforcement activities may include compliance checks at restaurants and retail locations, reverse stings, party patrols, and “shoulder taps” and “Cops in Stores” programs.

Through a combination of these techniques, the Reading Police Department will be able to monitor, analyze and take legal action when appropriate, both on minors who attempt to evade the law and on those individuals and businesses who enable them.

Historically, there has been a multifaceted effort led by police, cities, and school leaders working with the Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support to address alcohol compliance and the prevention of underage drinking.

Improvements in local liquor policy have led to a strong compliance rate. We have a genuine commitment from local businesses, 96% of all Reading businesses have passed previous compliance checks.

Results from the 2023 Reading Youth Risk Behavior survey show reductions in all alcohol risk behaviors for local high school youth compared to previous results. Despite this progress in reducing alcohol-related risk behaviors, impaired driving and alcohol-related crashes are still too common among young people.

The Reading Police Department will continue to monitor local liquor establishments. Communities like Reading that have reduced the availability of alcohol to minors have experienced fewer accidents and less crime.

The Reading Police Department wants to remind the community that underage drinking prevention is everyone’s responsibility.