SALEM — The Police Department is about to crack down on underage drinking.
The city received a $9,600 federal grant to increase enforcement in restaurants, bars and package stores. The funds will be used to pay police overtime to carry out "stings" and other measures.
Police have recruited Salem State College students under the legal drinking age of 21 who will try to get served without the proper identification at local establishments. They will be working on teams with Salem police.
"If they're carded, they're just going to turn around and walk out," Capt. Tom Griffin said. "They're young enough that you should be carding them."
Salem is one of 30 communities in the state to receive the grants. The city was selected, Griffin said, because it is a college town and has a popular downtown that draws a lot of young people.
Last month, the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission ran a training program at the police station for liquor license holders.
The city has tried to give the restaurant and package store owners as much advance notice as possible, Griffin said.
"We're not out to try to hurt anybody," he said. "We want to promote business in the city. We just want it to be done safely, that's all."
Police expect to start the enforcement program in the next few days, the captain said.
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