Bismarck, North Dakota News

" To weddings, who is suppose to monitor theses events, it is Bismarck-Mandan security. The people hosting the event pay for them but they are usually the same age as the underage kids drinking and don't feel they have enough authority to stop it. If you see this happening call bis-man security and they can find someone else to not do their job because it doesn't pay well. "

" I am not sure how it is now, but it used to be that the wedding peope hired their own security, or made arrangements through the Sheriff's Dept. It may not be that way now, and they may have to hire their own security through another agency or through the club. Does anyone know the answer here? Any recently married people reading this? Yet, if I was at a wedding dance with my daughter, I would be keeping an eye on her, for several reasons, not just alcohol. Even if they slip by security, there should be some adults and family members watching, also, in those types of situations, where there is most likely many family members and friends also attending. It's incredible how people turn their heads these days. I have to say that I have not seen any drunk minors at wedding dances for quite a while myself, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. "

" Thanks Bismarck Tribune for bringing this problem to our attention. Most people think that if you don't hear or see it then there isn't a problem. "

" The police must never check the wedding parties in town. I have gone to several wedding dances and there are always DRUNK minors at them. Who monitors these events? "

" As a parent and a person living in this community - I appreciate the Bismarck Police Dept taking a big and a interest in our children, Our kids are importmant and we should do everything possible to assist them in becoming a adults not corpse. "

" To Drink Slinger - I hope I never cross paths with you as you are serving a minor. Hope you feel proud of yourself. "

" Maybe the bandana guys you refer to are underage and got served in a bar and were under the influence of alcohol. Breaking the law and serving minors never can end up good. If you value your job so much and want to do the right thing, stop serving the minors and start reporting them. I, too, would like to have my child caught trying to get served, but that would take the cooperation of the bar workers, so the decision is: serve them or turn them in. Hmmm. Which option would make my job more valuable? The best thing that would come out of these compliance checks would be that the bar workers realize their responsibilities beyond trying to get tips wherever they can. "

" To To Online Editor: Thanks, I appreciate your comment. "

" As your opinion is clearly in support of censorship, I can tell that you are also in support of entrapment. That is what this is. My opinion is more of the fact that some parents just "give up" and have expectations that someone else is to do their job. Today's youth are exposed to so much more worse influences than I was when in high school. More than ever, couples need to think through the ramifications of bringing in a child to the world. Having children is the greatest gift that God ever gave my wife and I. And that is how we raise them, always as a gift, always, taking the greatest of care and influence. Yes, they stumble, but I don't want the police busting bars because I think that is going to help me raise my kids. I'd rather see my kid busted for trying to get into a bar. That is a learning experience for my kid, not the bar owner. The day my kid speeds through my neighborhood and my neighbor talks to me about it. That day my teenager will be standing on the corner with an apology sign to the neighborhood. I don't expect the police to set up radar for catching other speeders, so my kids sees that. I came across too mean. I reread my comment. My apology to the writer that I addressed. It was meant to be more generic. I to, am not too old to learn. "

" To the person who wrote To: Way to go PD, I can't believe how disrespectful you're comments were to someone who is just thanking local police for helping keep our kids safe. He/she never once said she wants others to parent his/her kids because he/she didn't want to. Your comments were absolutely rediculous! I'm guessing you're either a lousy parent, or an underage kid who would really like a drink. And to the online editor, I'm glad we are able to express our opinions here, but I don't think you should allow posts that expess opinions in such a blatantly rude way. "

" Thank you to the person who texted me 2 hours before the compliance check took place. You might have saved me my job. The only way to stop this nonsense is to forewarn every server you know who is just trying to eek out some kind of existence in this thankless profession. Only when the PD can't bust anyone will they stop wasting taxpayer dollars. Or here's an idea... focus on the other half of this equation...the minors trying to enter bars when they have no business being there. P.S. Bismarck PD: There's a man running around town with long guns and bandannas like its the wild west and you still find time for this compliance check... way to prioritize. "

" And one more thing, I don't think parenting is dirty work. I accept the responsibility and don't ask society to raise my child, but I would like some cooperation in issues like this where bars are careless about serving minors, one of whom could very well be mine someday. If I read the blog right, if my child isn't mature, that means I am not mature?? I do believe that children are not born mature, and it happens over time and with age and guidance. I don't expect my teen to have the same level of maturity I do, that's why they live at home and need guidance. If my child was as mature as I am, she could be out on her own, paying her own bills, and all those other responsibilities. Call me a bad parent, but at 16, she isn't mature enough for that. Nor is she mature enough to get served in a bar. This issue sure seems to rub you wrong, especially since I didn't ask YOU for help. I'll stick to the authorities, thanks. "

" Sorry I can't be with my child all the time, but the time comes when teens do go out on their own a little, you know. Where were the parents of the teens who got served in these bars between bar checks? I bet they aren't waiting in the car, or following their kid every minute when they are out with friends. Our community is full of services and resources to help raise kids, and I could probably do it alone, but why shouldn't I take advantage of all the resources that are out there? There are so many things for kids to get into these days, and a parent's job is hard. It's made a lot harder when the bars don't follow the laws. I do not expect society to raise my child, but I take the help when I can. Do you really think these bar checks aren't necessary and that they should continue to serve alcohol to minors? There's only one way to catch them. It's not entrapment, and it wouldn't be anything at all if the bars were following the law. When your 17 year old leaves the house at night to "go to a movie" and over to friends, do you follow? "

" If you can sign up for the military at 17 or 18 then you should be able to drink a beer!! whats this country coming to!!! I sure hope Clinton doesnt get to be the next president, she will ruine things worse off than Bush already has! My 2 cents! "

" I agree with your comment, you are probably a decent parent but outside influences can harbor even the very best of parenting skills. There is nothing wrong with appreciating what law enforcement is for "enforcing the law." People who don't like your comment probably don't have kids or don't respect the law. "

" We have idiot parents wanting someone else to raise their children for them. And cops trying to create crimes where they don't exist. Maybe the cops should be charged with solicitation of a minor, since they like to have them do their dirty work. "

" It just amazes me that everyone is outraged at one individual over how they supposedly raise their kid, yet most of the comments in this story fail to raise their voices against the real outrage; that two seperate establishments have failed thier compliance check in the last six months. How come these businesses still have their liquor licenses? After all, if I drive drunk and get arrested twiice in one 12 month period, I can expect, at the very least, to lose my driver's license for a period of time. Why is there no such provision for businesses who sell to underage children in the same time frame? perhaps if faced with the possible loss of their livelyhood, bar and restaurnat owners would be a little less lax in their training of employees and their personal responsibility to their customers and our community. "

" First of all, your comment did make sense. You sure can tell the age or maturaty of some of the comments on here. Some people just read what isn't there. There is not possible way to be able to know where your child is or what they are up to at all times. This does not mean we suck as parents. We have raised 3 kids and they have been great kids but they stumbled every now and then. Yes....NO teen is mature enough to make all the right decisions. Thanks PD for doing your job "

" Stop making excuses and raise your own freaking kids! My God, did you take one moment and read what you wrote? You basically state "I don't know where my kids are are. I don't know who they are with. I don't know what they are doing. And I think the PD should be checking businesses so my kid doesn't get served alcohol. You better freaking wake up because you suck as a parent. How much arm chair parenting can you do? If your child isn't mature enough, then you better start making your sure you are mature enough to be a parent.You brought the child into the world, don't make society raise it. Get involved! It won't be long till that child is away at college........................they will probably make you a grand parent, and then you will ask society to raise your grandchildren because your child still isn't mature enough. BE THE FREAKING PARENT AND TAKE THE RESPONSIBILIYT THAT YOU CREATED FOR YOURSELF IN HAVING THE CHILD! So many people want to blame someone or expect someone else to do their dirty work! "

" I think they are about legal as a check point.. It is entrapment. plain and simple. How many towns do you know of do checkpoints?? "

" Shut down the establishments that have been caught more than once...that'll get their attention!...except A&B...their pizza is awesome! "

" "It takes a village?" I don't want the village idiot raising my child, thank you very much. "

" Well if you knew where your kid was you would have to worry! "

" I am a parent of a teenager, and I am a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child. I can't be with my teen all the time, and as much as I like to think I have taught the right values and stressed the right dangers, kids still make their own decisions. I am glad the PD is out there checking these bars, and it seems to me it needs to be done. How many of the bars caught this last time have been caught before??? If they don't learn or are too stubborn to comply with the law, well then, I hope the PD checks them every week. until they learn that as bar owners and workers they have a responsibliility to the community to follow the laws, period, and not sell to minors!!! My child is not mature enough to handle alcohol, that's why there is a law against selling to those under 21. Granted, not everyone 21 or older are any more mature than my teen, but on an average, being 21 should give them some sense and better decision making skills. Until then, parents, law enforcement, and liquor establishments must work together to keep the kids safe and out of the bars. Thank you, PD, for doing your part. As a parent of a teen, I need the help, we all do. "