Civilians have been helping Statesboro police perform alcohol compliance checks since 2012, but a recent social media ad seeking qualified persons to assist in these checks received an overwhelming response.
A Facebook post by the Statesboro Police Department this week asked citizens between 18 and 20 years of age, with valid driver’s licenses and transportation, to contact the department if they were interested in earning $18 an hour for “operations that last for four to eight hours.”
In no time, the post was edited to reflect that the needs were filled, with Detective Sgt. Patrick Harrelson thanking responders for their interest.
“Due to an overwhelming response we have received more help than we can actually use at this time and are no longer in need of assistance,” the post read.
If the need for civilian help arises again, the department will notify the public, he said.
Using civilians to help keep businesses that serve alcohol in line is a very effective way of handling the underage drinking and alcohol sales issues, said Statesboro police Cpl. Justin Samples.
As evidenced by the significant response to Harrelson’s Facebook post, getting underage citizens to help police by trying to buy alcohol is a very easy task. This method of compliance checking is quite effective, too, he said.
“Purchasers that are actually underage using their actual ID is the most effective way we’ve found to conduct covert compliance checks,” Samples said. “This is the first time we’ve publicly made an announcement for purchasers. We’ve received several responses from those interested in helping.”
There has been increased concern regarding underage drinking in Statesboro since the death of Michael Gatto, an 18-year-old beaten to death by an allegedly inebriated, also underage bouncer at a now-closed Statesboro bar over a year ago. However, alcohol compliance checks have been a regular part of policing for quite a while, Samples said.
“We have always conducted covert and overt alcohol compliance checks. Since the Michael Gatto incident, we have seen multiple businesses enact policies of self-policing to help reduce the instances of underage alcohol consumption and an increase in enrollment for server-training programs, such as TIPS,” he said.
He couldn’t say whether the problem has lessened since the increased public attention.
“As always, underage alcohol consumption is being closely monitored by the Statesboro Police Department. However, due to several fluctuating variables, such as time of year, the number of licensed establishments and student population, it is difficult to accurately compare year to year,” he said.
The underage drinking problem isn’t simply because bars are slack in checking their customers’ IDs. Sometimes, bar employees fail to check identification, but often, legal-age customers will purchase drinks that find their way into underage drinkers’ hands, he said. Another factor is the increasing number of fraudulent IDs, he said.
Anyone with questions about alcohol compliance checks or about assisting police with those checks may call (912) 764-9911.
Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.