Eight local businesses were found in violation during alcohol compliance checks conducted Jan. 22 and Feb. 13, police said.

Statesboro police visited 58 places in the city that serve or sell alcoholic beverages, either by the drink or packaged beer or wine, said Statesboro Public Safety Director Wendell Turner in a release issued Monday.

During the Jan. 22 compliance check, alcohol license holders found in violation were the Gate station on South Main Street, Gate station on Northside Drive East, Kevin's Food Mart on South Zetterower Avenue and Walgreens on Northside Drive East.

During the Feb. 13 compliance check, alcohol license holders found in violation were Time Saver #40 on North Main Street, Main Street Bar & Grill on South Main Street, Dingus Magee's on Georgia Avenue and Gnat's Landing on South Main Street.

At each location, at least one person was cited for furnishing alcohol to underage persons, according to police reports.

The routine compliance checks are part of the city's efforts to address underage drinking. The problem came into sharper focus after the beating death of Michael Gatto, 18, of Elkhorn Court, Cumming, in August at Rude Rudy's, a bar in University Plaza that is now closed. Grant James Spencer, 21, of Olympic Boulevard, reportedly an off-duty bouncer at Rude Rudy's, is being held without bond in the Bulloch County Jail on felony murder and aggravated battery charges. Gatto later died from injuries sustained in the beating.

Earlier this month, a reportedly intoxicated 19-year-old bouncer from Shenanigans bar was found intruding inside Statesboro Mayor Jan Moore's home. He said he had been drinking at the bar and did not recall how he arrived at the mayor's house.