Home » News » Public Safety
July 18. 2012 11:47PM
$15,000 grant to go toward Derry compliance check efforts
DERRY — A $15,000 grant from the state Attorney General’s Office will help the police department crack down on underage drinking, according to Police Chief Ed Garone.
The department has received similar grants since 2003 and uses the money to run alcohol compliance checks at local stores and restaurants, he said.
During the compliance checks, Garone said an 18-year-old from outside the area who looks to be about 16 will attempt to buy alcohol at various stores.
“We are pleased that we have had a very high compliance with the laws in Derry,” he said. “We publish a list of those who do and do not comply with the laws.”
During the town’s last compliance check in the spring, four out of more than 40 establishments in town were cited for attempting to sell alcohol to a minor.
In addition to the enforcement, the grant also covers education with the police department holding training sessions for store owners and employees.
“We’ve had these training sessions before, and they have been well attended,” said Garone. The sessions typically cover how to identify and prevent potential underage alcohol buyers.
“For example, the employees might want to be on the lookout for the same individual who comes into a store and buys alcohol several times per day when there is a group of young people in the parking lot,” Garone said.
Town Councilor Michael Fairbanks asked why the department used 18-year-olds who look younger and not 18-year-olds who look 21 or 22 on its compliance checks.
“We’re not trying to trick someone,” said Garone. “... We are trying to work with them and raise awareness, not so much trying to make arrests.”
Garone said there will be only minimal administrative costs associated with the grant. The $15,000 will cover patrol costs as well as retirement, workers compensation and Medicare costs.
“The contract typically provides that the town will be reimbursed for all salary expenses plus roll up costs for all hours approved in the grant award,” Garone said.
Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
The department has received similar grants since 2003 and uses the money to run alcohol compliance checks at local stores and restaurants, he said.
During the compliance checks, Garone said an 18-year-old from outside the area who looks to be about 16 will attempt to buy alcohol at various stores.
“We are pleased that we have had a very high compliance with the laws in Derry,” he said. “We publish a list of those who do and do not comply with the laws.”
During the town’s last compliance check in the spring, four out of more than 40 establishments in town were cited for attempting to sell alcohol to a minor.
In addition to the enforcement, the grant also covers education with the police department holding training sessions for store owners and employees.
“We’ve had these training sessions before, and they have been well attended,” said Garone. The sessions typically cover how to identify and prevent potential underage alcohol buyers.
“For example, the employees might want to be on the lookout for the same individual who comes into a store and buys alcohol several times per day when there is a group of young people in the parking lot,” Garone said.
Town Councilor Michael Fairbanks asked why the department used 18-year-olds who look younger and not 18-year-olds who look 21 or 22 on its compliance checks.
“We’re not trying to trick someone,” said Garone. “... We are trying to work with them and raise awareness, not so much trying to make arrests.”
Garone said there will be only minimal administrative costs associated with the grant. The $15,000 will cover patrol costs as well as retirement, workers compensation and Medicare costs.
“The contract typically provides that the town will be reimbursed for all salary expenses plus roll up costs for all hours approved in the grant award,” Garone said.
- - - - - - - -
Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.
- New Ipswich man burned in garage fire, flown to Boston - 0
- Two sustained minor injuries in Rochester crash Sunday - 0
- Boat crash in Tuftonboro investigated - 0
- Driving lesson turns into car accident in Laconia - 0
- Fire destroys vacant Berlin building - 0
- NY man stable after destroying classic Porsche 911 in Route 16 wreck - 3
- Investigators seek cause of Conn. train crash - 0
- Berlin man dies while kayaking - 0
- Man seriously hurt in North Country crash of 1967 Porsche - 0
Bird's nest may have caused house fire in Hudson
READER COMMENTS: 0- NHIAA boxscores, summaries for May 20, 2013 - 0
- Police say man held girlfriend in car, arrest him - 0
- Overtime puts stress on Nashua police budget - 0
- Manchester, church group seek accord on breakfast for homeless - 1
- Ky. Sen. Rand Paul to NH GOP: Let's look like America - 2
- Man gunned down on Manchester street was talented graffiti artist - 2
- Experts weigh in on UNH logo designs - 3
- Two had a NH history before brutal Bedford attack - 2
- Derry marks a soldier's death - 1
Bedford's Shapiro hits lacrosse milestone
READER COMMENTS: 0| Follow us: | ||
 |
 |
 |
Sorry, no question available