Several warnings were issued but no charges were laid in the latest compliance sting at 10 bars in Red Deer.
On Dec. 20, the Red Deer Public Safety Compliance Team (PSCT) paid the unannounced visits to check for over-serving of alcohol, underage patrons, fire code violations and to ensure the bar wasn’t exceeding its occupancy limits.
RCMP Cpl. Sarah Knelsen said there were minor infractions this time around including snow and ice accumulation near doors, uncleared exit pathways, overcrowding inside establishments and some administration errors.
“There was a couple of establishments that perhaps had too many people patrons in them for their capacity,” she said.
“They were warned. No charges were laid in those cases. The rest of the stuff was pretty minor. The sidewalks weren’t cleared off or the doors were jammed with snow. So if there was a fire it would make it a little more difficult for patrons to leave the premises.”
Knelsen said there would have been charges if any underage drinkers were found in the bars. She said the team was pleased with the results of the public safety compliance check.
The PSCT was formed earlier this year to address concerns related to drinking places in Red Deer.
“We have noticed over the last year that we have doing this there has been a decrease in infractions in most of the local establishments,” said Knelsen. “We do attribute that to the public safety compliance team getting out there checking these establishments as often as we can.”
The team is made up of members from the Red Deer City RCMP, Red Deer Emergency Services, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission Red Deer Branch, City of Red Deer Inspections and Licensing and Alberta Health Services.
The team pays a visit to the bars sporadically every eight to 10 weeks without informing the bars or lounges. Knelsen said they try to visit new places in Red Deer each time.
PSCT focuses on prevention and enforcement, with the goals of improving the safety of staff and patrons, decreasing violence, and reducing the negative impact drinking establishments have on the community. Knelsen said the team has a good relationship with the owners and managers of the establishments.
“It’s not only an enforcement piece, it’s education piece,” said Knelsen. “Depending on the severity of the infraction, the establishments are first given a warning. We do enforce if required.”
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com