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News Specialist Sandra Yi reporting When does one more drink become a drink too many?
Utah liquor cops say that's a question for any business which has a liquor license.
Sgt. Dan Catlin/Utah Highway Patrol: "SOMEONE IN THIS ESTABLISHMENT HAS TO HAVE GOOD JUDGEMENT, AND THAT'S THE EMPLOYEES OF THE ESTABLISHMENT."
State troopers say if a drunk driver injures or kills himself or someone else on the way home, the bar can be responsible.
Already agents have busted two bars for breaking the law. UHP went undercover inside Port O'Call last fall and found bartenders serving drinks to intoxicated patrons.
Agents are performing similar undercover operations to let places like this know when to say enough is enough.
Sgt. Dan Catlin/Utah Highway Patrol: "SOME THINGS YOU'RE JUST, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, YOU CAN'T IMAGINE THEM BEING SERVED, AND THEY'RE STILL BEING SERVED."
Dan Catlin says it happens.
In fact, this liquor cop has seen a bartender pouring a drink for a mildly intoxicated customer, then another serving a woman who was so drunk she fell nine times in 40 minutes.
Sgt. Dan Catlin/Utah Highway Patrol: "SOMEONE HAS TO SAY, 'YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH.'"
It's against the law for anyone with a liquor license to give or sell alcohol to a person who shows outward signs of being drunk.
For the past two years so-called liquor cops have gone undercover at popular Salt Lake clubs and bars which they believe are breaking the law.
UHP statistics show more than a third of the DUI tickets troopers hand out are to patrons of three clubs in Salt Lake County.
Agents planned a sting last night, but had to postpone the operation because of equipment problems.
Sgt. Dan Catlin/Utah Highway Patrol: "OUR GOAL IS TO GET THE ESTABLISHMENTS TO DO WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW."
Bar managers say the law is tough but someone needs to be responsible. At Green Street, workers won't allow anyone who appears to be drunk inside.
The managers are also participating in a training program offered by law enforcement.
Jason LeCates/Manager, Green Street: "IT SCARES YOU. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY'RE IN YOUR CLUB. IT KEEPS YOU ON YOUR TOES. YOU HAVE TO RUN YOUR BUSINESS LIKE THEY'RE IN THERE EVERY DAY, LIKE YOU HAVE UNDERCOVER OFFICERS IN YOUR CLUB EVERYDAY."
The case with Port O'Call has been referred to the Division of Alcohol and Beverage Control.
The owner was out of town and the manager declined to comment.
Places found to be in violation can have their liquor licenses suspended.
