Bars will face stiffer penalties for underage drinking violations starting today, as a contested Gainesville ordinance takes effect.
The ordinance requires that the city tally bars' underage drinking violations, forcing bars that exceed the specified number of violations, depending on capacity, to refuse entrance to patrons under 21 years old.
Jeanna Mastrodicasa, a recently re-elected city commissioner who championed the ordinance, believes that it has improved the situation even before taking effect, she said.
"There is already a lot more interest from bar owners in reducing violations," she said, citing a presentation given by GPD on the subject.
The purpose of the ordinance is not to eliminate underage drinking, but to put pressure on irresponsible bars who consistently serve underage patrons, she said.
GPD spokesman Keith Kameg was not available for comment.
