MLPD trains in underage drinking prevention
Dean Mitchell Moses Lake Police Chief
MOSES LAKE - Local law enforcement attended an underage drinking enforcement training Wednesday in Moses Lake.
The training allowed about a dozen officers the opportunity to ask questions about underage drinking enforcement. Members of the prosecutor's office as well as the Liquor Control Board assisted with the training. The training involved educating officers on underage drinking laws as well as strategies to enforce the laws.
Moses Lake Police Chief Dean Mitchell said the privatization of liquor sales has not had a major affect on underage drinking.
"Kids are obviously going to drink alcohol," Mitchell said of the problem. "What we're trying to do is make the retailers, the people selling it, responsible."
Mitchell said educating businesses, especially larger retail stores, is important to ensure laws are being followed and alcohol isn't in the hands of the under aged. A recent report released by Mitchell showed the majority of Moses Lake businesses are complying with liquor sales laws.
Mitchell said the department has also worked to have retailers place alcohol in certain locations, but he is unsure if this has had any affect.
One angle the department is using is utilizing social media to identify parties that may involve underage drinking. Mitchell said many parties originate on social media.
Mitchell said two officers in the department have extensive training to utilize social media. He did not identify specific tactics used, but said there are many ways to track possible underage drinking using social media.
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