SAVANNAH, GA (March 22, 2021) – Over the past week, SPD officers made more than 90 arrests, wrote more than 400 citations, conducted alcohol checks at more than 100 businesses, and handed out more than 25,000 masks.
“Our officers were out in full force over the last week in anticipation of visitors to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day,” said Chief Roy Minter. “Although the week was not as busy compared to weeks we have seen in the past, it still resulted in a busy week for our officers.”
SPD’s Alcohol Beverage Compliance (ABC) Unit conducted checks at 133 alcohol-selling businesses, 55 of which received at least one citation.
“As part of our St. Patrick’s week operations, our unit visited establishments in every part of the city, looking at everything from employee training to license conditions to underage sales,” said Sgt. Samantha Stephens, ABC Unit supervisor. “The most citations were written for underage sales, followed by employee training regulations.”
Officers conducted underage operations at 85 of the businesses, 36 of which were cited. The managers or licensees of the businesses that failed were notified of the alcohol sold, if the employee checked for ID, how the alcohol was sold and the actions taken by officers. Businesses that passed will receive a congratulatory letter.
The second most common citation involved employee training, with 17 total citations written. According to the ordinance, businesses are required to ensure that all employees who serve alcohol undergo training every two years. The business is also required to be able to provide proof of that training if requested.
SPD’s Traffic Unit, with the assistance of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and other law enforcement agencies, conducted multiple DUI checkpoints and safety operations throughout the city. The operations resulted in 71 DUI arrests, 14 drug arrests, six felony arrests, one fugitive arrest and 466 citations.
Officers working the downtown area also made one arrest for DUI and one felony arrest for possession of a controlled substance.
Officers working the downtown area handed out an estimated 27,000 masks. Officers also issued four mask ordinance citations.