ATC sees drop in alcohol sales to underage during annual Mardi Gras crackdown

Agents with the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) conducted underage compliance checks at 860 businesses during its two week long Mardi Gras crackdown operation.  This is over triple the number of compliance checks conducted during the same period last year. As a result of the recent checks, 149 citations were issued for alcohol and tobacco sales to underage persons.

Below are statistics by parish on alcohol and/or tobacco products sold to underage persons from March 2nd through March 16th of 2015, compared to 2014:

“Statewide alcohol and tobacco sales to underage dropped from 33% last year to 17% this Mardi Gras season. Obviously, alcohol is a big part of Mardi Gras and it's great news to see that more and more businesses and servers are selling and serving it responsibly," stated ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert. 

Majority of the compliance checks were conducted using 16 and 17 year old undercover operatives. For Mardi Gras, ATC focused the majority of its checks in areas of the state with large parades and festivities.

Remember: The LRA is your solution provider for state-approved, alcohol server training through the ServSafe Alcohol online, two-hour course, available 24-7, anywhere an individual has access to a PC and an internet connection. LRA members receive preferred pricing. 

ATC announces annual Mardi Gras crackdown

Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) Commissioner Troy Hebert has ordered ATC agents to hit the streets again this Mardi Gras season to ensure that alcohol, tobacco, and alternative nicotine products are being sold and served responsibly.

ATC agents, under the direction of Commissioner Hebert, have continued to increase the number of compliance checks they conduct during Mardi Gras celebrations statewide in an attempt to keep alcohol, tobacco, and alternative nicotine products out of the hands of underage persons. During Mardi Gras 2014, ATC agents conducted close to 230 compliance checks of businesses along parade routes statewide. Of those businesses checked, ATC issued 69 citations for sales to underage persons.

“I understand that Mardi Gras and alcohol often go hand and hand; however, it’s ATC’s responsibility to make sure that businesses are following the law and are not jeopardizing the safety of our residents and visitors by serving underage persons,” said Commissioner Hebert.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association offers ServSafe Alcohol online server training course at www.laserverpermit.com. For just $24 for members and $30 for non-members, individuals can spend two-hours completing the course anywhere they have a PC and an internet connection and obtain their state-approved responsible vendor permit. 

In the weeks leading up to Mardi Gras, business owners with ATC permits will be reminded of important alcohol laws and ATC is encouraging the owners to train their staff, obtain the required permits, and implement policies to ensure their business is fully prepared to handle the increased patronage that they are likely to receive. One of ATC’s main focuses this year is making certain that businesses are educating their employees on the different types of IDs. In Louisiana, driver’s licenses issued to persons under 21 are vertical and show the exact date that the person will turn 21 in red letters, whereas driver’s licenses issued to persons over 21 are horizontal. 

“Businesses deal with huge crowds during Mardi Gras,” said Commissioner Hebert. “Knowing how to identify an underage person by the layout of their driver’s license, without needing to do any math, will enable employees to quickly serve their eligible customers and avoid receiving a citation by refusing service to anyone who’s underage.”

Since taking a more proactive approach in educating businesses ahead of Carnival Season, the number of citations issued to businesses for selling alcohol and tobacco to minors has decreased dramatically. ATC agents will again be out in full force to ensure a fun and safe Mardi Gras for all Louisiana citizens and visitors.

Can you spot a minor?

You’ve heard the old adage “looks can be deceiving,” no doubt. I know I have a hard time telling how old a young person is sometimes and not to begrudge the latest fashion trends, some of them dress far beyond their years and wear make up to make them appear much, much older. Click here to see what make up can do.

During Mardi Gras 2014, the Louisiana Alcohol Tobacco Control was out in force, particularly on the lookout for bartenders serving minors. In late February, the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) shared with members the Mardi Gras 2014 ATC enforcement notice and safety tips in preparation for the nearly one million visitors ready to descend on the Bayou State. Each year, the ATC conducts proactive visits to businesses before carnival season begins to discuss what the laws are and what the businesses can do to help serve alcohol responsibly.

Agents then look for minors in possession of alcohol before, during and after the parades. Underage individuals are sent inside the businesses located along the parade routes to try and purchase alcohol. Most of the underage operatives are 17 years old or under and are not allowed to use fake ID’s.

How prevalent was underage sales of alcohol by alcohol retailers during the 2014 Carnival Season? Of the 227 agent checks statewide, 69 total sales to minors occurred, or 30 percent. An off the cuff anecdotal response might be the sheer volume of customers and the need to service them quickly. Regardless, it takes just a moment to check an ID and the benefits of doing so far outweigh the consequences.

The LRA offers ServSafe Alcohol, a two-hour online course, available 24-7 and designed to help you serve alcohol responsibly and avoid citations, fines and possible license revocation. ServSafe Alcohol is a vital, practical and current responsible alcohol server training program that includes Louisiana alcohol regulations, including key techniques to determine the age of a guest, the reason to ID and the proper way to check an ID.

ServSafe Alcohol Online is a convenient and easy training solution that prepares bartenders, servers, hosts, bussers, valets, bouncers and front of the house staff to effectively and safely handle difficult situations in the operation.

While New Orleans is known far and wide as a city where you can get an alcoholic beverage drink with relative ease, proper training and self-policing your service is critical to reducing the percentage of those imbibing underage. 

For more information about ServSafe Alcohol, click here. 

Mardi Gras 2014 ATC enforcement notice and safety tips for restaurants

Letters hit Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) members’ mailboxes this week from Louisiana Alcohol Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert regarding enforcement measures to be taken during the annual Mardi Gras parade season. While Mardi Gras activities are underway, the majority of the parades begin this weekend and will continue through until March 4.

Commissioner Hebert issued the following “friendly reminders” for establishments, particularly along parade routes, that are licensed to serve alcoholic beverages.

Maintain adequate security.

• Develop a plan to ensure that minors are not served alcohol or tobacco products.
• Develop a policy and educate employees on identifying proper identification.
• Ensure that you have obtained special event permits for any events outside your licensed premises (i.e., in the parking lot, etc.).
• Ensure that your alcohol and tobacco inventory is purchased from licensed wholesale dealers
• Ensure that all permits are current and clearly visible.
• Remember that ATC agents may enter your permitted location at any time.
• A K-9 may accompany agents during their inspections.
• Ensure you are in compliance with Trade Practice Regulations (visit the ATC website at www.atc.la.gov).

“ATC agents will be out in full force to ensure public safety during these events by verifying alcohol and tobacco products are sold and served responsibly,” the letter reads. “We will aggressively pursue all persons found selling alcoholic beverages and tobacco products without the proper permits. It is unfair to law abiding and tax paying businesses such as yours to allow others to compete against you.”

With the sheer volume of parade-goers flooding the French Quarter, St. Charles corridor, Veterans Memorial Blvd in Metairie, and other cities across the state, safety of your staff and customers is of the utmost importance during the revelry.

Here are some tips from LRA members who’ve experienced restaurant ownership during Mardi Gras for decades:

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times. This goes for everyone!
• Regardless of the time of year, servers carrying cash are encouraged to leave the restaurant in groups, travel in well-lit areas, carpool if possible, avoid flashing cash and do not walk while using a smartphone/cell phone.
• Managers and staff are encouraged to move their vehicles closer to the building once the shift has ended prior to closing procedures.
• Keep side and back doors locked and alarms set when not in use.
• Trash runs before lunch and dinner shifts and not done by just one staff member.
• Use camera and security systems.
• Don’t leave valuables in plain sight in your vehicle. 

If there's a tip we've overlooked, that you'd like to share, please let us know. Have a safe and happy Mardi Gras season.