SIKESTON -- Now is an ideal time for those who plan to host a party with cover charges and alcohol to review Missouri's laws on the matter.
"Sikeston DPS would like to remind our citizens that it is illegal to host a party in which there is a cover charge for food and entertainment where alcohol is being possessed or consumed without a liquor license," said Sgt. Jon Broom, public information officer with Sikeston Department of Public Safety.
This comes from Missouri revised statute 311.480, which went into to effect Aug. 28, 2016, and states: "It shall be unlawful for any person operating any premises where food, beverages or entertainment are sold or provided for compensation, who does not possess a license for the sale of intoxicating liquor, to permit the drinking or consumption of intoxicating liquor in the premises, without having a license as in this section provided."
"It should also be noted once a cover charge is established, the event is now considered open to the public and officers from Sikeston DPS will perform a walk-through and compliance checks," Broom said.
If illegal activity is discovered, such as the use of marijuana or other illegal drugs, DPS will have a zero tolerance policy and take action, Broom said. Once illegal activity is discovered, these parties will be shut down and no refunds of cover charges will be given, he said.
"Sikeston DPS is sending out this reminder due to some recent illegal parties that left one man injured and others upset when their party was shut down by DPS and their cover charge not refunded," Broom said.