Five underage drinkers were arrested Wednesday when GPD officers did a routine check of bars in midtown.
Three were arrested at Balls and two at Copper Monkey, according to a GPD press release.
Also, two Gainesville bars and four convenience stores were caught selling alcohol to minors.
GPD sent underage shoppers into gas stations and supermarkets to buy alcohol, the GPD release stated.
After going to 33 stores, four employees from four gas stations including Texaco, 4909 N.W. 39th St., and Kangaroo, 1255 W. University Ave., were given written arrests for selling alcohol to underage customers.
In three of the stores, a 17-year-old successfully purchased a 16 oz. can of Tilt, the Anheuser-Busch alcoholic energy drink.
"Our goal for this detail was zero arrests," said GPD spokesman Keith Kameg. "We are getting a lot closer to our goal. Four out of 33 isn't that bad."
To crack down on underage drinking at Copper Monkey, Robert Smith said he was hired by owner Richard Kesselring.
As a state-certified private investigator, Smith said he came up with solutions to catch those attempting to drink underage.
Patrons must show two forms of valid ID to get a 21 and up wristband, Smith said.
In addition to a Florida driver's license, a credit card or student ID card must be shown, Smith said.
"If they don't have either of those, they have to sign our login sheet," Smith said. "Then we check the signature on the sheet with the signature on their ID."
Smith also installed six cameras throughout the bar. He said the two girls who were arrested Wednesday showed security valid ID cards that stated they of age. When GPD came, the girls gave officers their real licenses that showed they were not, he said
Smith said that he plans to implement scanners so that security can scan IDs to make sure each is real. The scanners will cost about $1,200 each, he said.
