Three Grand Forks businesses were cited after failing alcohol compliance checks conducted on Wednesday, Oct. 22, according to local authorities. Officers carried out 12 checks across the city to ensure establishments were properly verifying IDs and preventing underage alcohol purchases.

Alcohol compliance checks are standard operations used by Grand Forks Police to monitor responsible alcohol sales, particularly as college activities and fall events drive increased nightlife activity. With the University of North Dakota nearby and a strong student population in the city, alcohol enforcement has become a key public-safety focus.

Officials say the three violations were issued after staff at those locations sold alcohol to individuals under the legal drinking age. The names of the businesses are expected to be released once citations move through administrative processing.

In recent years, the city has partnered with business owners and servers to offer ID-checking training and encourage better policies to prevent underage alcohol access.

Grand Forks Police spokesperson Sgt. Michael Hartman emphasized the city's ongoing commitment to enforcing alcohol laws:

“Our goal isn’t just to hand out citations — it’s to keep our community, especially our youth, safe. Compliance checks remind everyone that alcohol sales come with responsibility. Businesses play a key role in preventing underage drinking.

A local bar manager who passed the compliance check added:

“It’s about protecting the community. We train our staff routinely on ID checks. One mistake can cost a license — and more importantly, someone’s safety.