59 businesses that sell alcohol were visited by underage customers.
Frederick, Md (KM) The Frederick County Liquor Board conducted compliance checks between April 1st and June 30th, 2025 on 59 area businesses which sell alcohol, and a majority passed. The county says 52 merchants refused to sell alcoholic beverages to those under 21, but seven sold alcohol to underage buyers.
“Protecting youth from early access to tobacco and alcohol is a top priority for Frederick County,” says Andrea Walker, Director and Chief Public Health Strategist with the Frederick County Health Department. “In the past 12 months, the Frederick County Health Department educated over 200 tobacco licensees and are strengthening enforcement as we resume tobacco compliance checks this quarter. The Frederick County Liquor Board educated 335 alcohol licensees on responsible beverage service. When prevention, education and accountability work together, we keep our community safer and healthier.”
The Health Department says the Merchant Sales Compliance Initiative’s goal is to reduce youth access to alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and that includes electronic smoking devices. This is done through random merchant compliance checks.
In Frederick County. underage youth assist in alcohol and tobacco compliance checks. They have their state-issued identification cards when they enter these establishments, and they are required to present it to a merchant upon request. These underage customers are accompanied and observed by a plainclothes police officer.
By Kevin McManus