No charges were laid in the Red Deer Public Safety Compliance Team’s latest check of local drinking establishments.
The team, whose investigations led to the shutdown of one nightclub, Tequila, has been performing unannounced checks of businesses since 2012.
RCMP Cpl. Sarah Knelsen said there has been a noticeable improvement in businesses adhering to the rules and protocols relating to over serving of alcohol, serving under-aged people, fire code violations and exceeding occupancy.
Most recently, the compliance team checked 13 local drinking establishments last Friday.
“In the past there have been charges laid that were fairly minor,” said Knelsen, adding this time there were no serving alcohol to minors charges laid.
The team was assembled in mid-2012 in an attempt to prevent violence and other illegal activity that could be related to the targeted offences within the drinking establishments.
Another goal was to decrease the amount of times the compliance team is called to the establishments.
“That was our first public safety compliance team check,” said Knelsen. “We had received some information that they were serving minors, so the team went in and sure enough they located several minors in the establishment.”
This resulted in the shutdown of Tequila.
Although there was a bit of a learning curve at first for bar owners, Knelsen said the team has met with them and told them more about the purpose of the compliance team.
“We encourage the owners when we’re in these establishments, if they are there, to ask us any questions they have and we can let them know what they can do better for the next compliance check,” said Knelsen.
“It’s not always about laying charges, it’s about educating the business owners.”
Knelsen said they typically get a good reception from business owners when the team shows up.
“In some cases we don’t get the reception we would like, but that’s also educating them on why we are there,” said Knelsen.
The safety compliance team is a partnership between the Red Deer City RCMP, Red Deer Emergency Services, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission Red Deer branch, City of Red Deer Inspections and Licensing Department and Alberta Health Services.
“We can’t say when, obviously that would ruin the point, but the compliance team will conduct checks throughout the year,” said Knelsen.
“Even though we’ve seen improvements and no charges were laid, we’re going to be out there ensuring businesses are adhering to laws and regulations.”
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com