Bismarck police officers dipped into a $9,500 grant over the weekend to continue their special efforts to nab underage drinkers.

It cost about $2,400 in overtime pay to staff 11 additional officers Friday and Saturday, but that resulted in 32 alcohol-related arrests and four arrests on other charges, Bismarck Police Officer Perry Lauer said. The two days were picked because authorities expected an increase in activity among college and high school students. The University of Mary and Century High School had homecoming events.

"We usually try to do this around events where there's more likelihood that there will be increased activity," Lauer said.

Different tactics were used each day.

On Friday, three plain-clothes officers waited in unmarked cars outside busy liquor stores, watching for illegal or suspicious activity and radioing three uniformed officers in marked patrol cars to make the stops. Lauer said they hoped to stop underage drinkers before they could start. Liquor stores watched were Cash Wise Liquor and Captain Jack's north and south. All liquor stores in Bismarck have been watched as part of the alcohol enforcement efforts.

Surveillance efforts moved to the Civic Center on Saturday, where U-Mary hosted a Johnny Holm concert and dance. The school paid overtime salaries for two police officers to stand inside the Civic Center, and the grant covered five officers - three uniformed and two in plain clothes - to patrol outside.

The tactics at the Civic Center were similar to those used at the liquor stores. Plain-clothes officers drove around in unmarked cars looking for anything suspicious and radioed the marked units when they spotted something.

The all-night effort switched gears when the dance ended. The extra officers assisted the regular night crew on patrol and answered loud party calls.

A total of 36 people were arrested for a variety of crimes. Officers picked up 19 minors with alcohol, three adults delivering the alcohol and nine people in possession of an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Other violations included driving under suspension, possession of marijuana and indecent conduct.

Lauer said the department plans more alcohol enforcement efforts, but he wouldn't say when. The department hopes to keep the crackdowns a surprise to help detour underage drinkers when they can't afford to send out the extra officers.

(Reach reporter Mike Albrecht at 250-8261 or cops@ndonline.com.)