RISE Drug Free MKE truly believes that prevention works when it’s consistent, community-wide, and taken seriously. A round of recent alcohol age compliance checks – when law enforcement sends an underage person into a retailer in attempt to purchase alcohol to verify if the retailer will check the individual’s ID – shows that we still have work to do.
Out of 174 compliance checks conducted by RISE Drug Free MKE and the Milwaukee Police Department in 2025, there were 56 illegal sales to individuals under 21, resulting in an overall failure rate of 32%. That means 1 in 3 retailers that were checked sold alcohol to someone who was underage.
These checks are a critical public health strategy designed to protect young people, support responsible businesses, and provide opportunities for educating retailers on the importance of checking IDs. Retailers are one of the most important prevention partners in our community. The simple action of checking IDs during every single sale can significantly prevent and reduce youth access to alcohol. Many retailers consistently follow the law and help protect youth, but a 32% failure rate tells us that stronger, more consistent practices are necessary, including store policies requiring ID checks, visible signage reinforcing ID requirements, and staff trainings.
The data show that alcohol retailer density and compliance outcomes are not evenly distributed across Milwaukee. Some zip codes have a significantly higher concentration of alcohol outlets, increasing youth exposure and access points. For example, the 53215 neighborhoods in West Milwaukee, including Forest Home Hills, Layton Park, and Burnham Park, had the highest concentration at 33 outlets, while 53219, comprised of portions of West Allis, Greenfield, and West Milwaukee, had just 3. Higher retailer density can mean greater youth access to alcohol, the normalization of drinking, and added pressure on retailers to act responsibly.
By focusing outreach and enforcement in areas with higher outlet density and higher failure rates, we can reduce youth access to alcohol more effectively. Checking IDs might seem like a small action, but small actions done consistently make a measurable difference. At RISE Drug Free MKE, we are committed to working alongside law enforcement, retailers, and community leaders to ensure that every young person in Milwaukee is protected.
