Earlier this year the Red Deer Public Safety Compliance Team (PSCT) was formed to address concerns related to drinking establishments in the City. The team is both prevention and enforcement based and will strive to improve the safety of staff and patrons and reduce the negative impact these establishments have on the community.

PSCT is a partnership between the Red Deer City RCMP, Red Deer City Fire

Department, Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission Red Deer Branch and the City of Red Deer Inspections and Licensing department. The team will work at reducing the instances of over serving of alcohol, serving under aged people, fire code violations, exceeding occupancy limits and escalating violence.

This past spring PSCT met bar owners and managers of several Red Deer drinking establishments to introduce PSCT members, outline their mandate, review and discuss best practices.

On Aug. 22nd in response to public and police concerns PSCT conducted a licensed premises check on the Tequila Nightclub, 5000 block of 48th St. The team found the night club to be in violation of several offences related to minors being inside. Twelve minors, eight female and four male, were located inside and issued tickets for being unlawfully in a licensed premises.

On Aug. 31st the owners of Tequila Nightclub were charged with 12 counts of unlawfully permitting a minor to be in a licensed premises in relation to the Aug. 22nd incident. They are scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Sept. 25th.

– Fawcett