During the afternoon hours on Friday, April 22, Lincoln County Deputies conducted 30 alcohol compliance checks throughout Lincoln County. The checks were funded by state of Maine grant money intended to enforce underage drinking laws and reduce minor’s access to alcohol.

These checks were last conducted in December of 2014 and the focus of this round of compliance checks was to first check those off premise retailers who we had not been checked during the previous checks as well as those licensed off premise retailers who failed during these same checks.

A total of nine off premise retailers failed during this round of compliance checks when they sold alcohol to a minor and allowed them to leave their business with the product.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will be spending the next several days contacting all the licensed off premise retailers that were subject to these checks.

In most cases the Sheriff’s Office goal will be provide training and suggestions on policy changes to avoid future failed checks. During these most recent checks some off premise retailers had also failed in 2014. It is expected that these off premise retailers will face administrative action by the state of Maine in addition to any training or policy changes they may agree to make.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has plans for future compliance checks for both on and off premise retailers of alcohol with the goal again of reducing the access of alcohol to minors and enforcing Maine’s liquor laws.

Additional questions about this project should be addressed to Lt. Rand Maker at 882-6576 or rmaker@lincolnso.me