They entered a local establishment, made a request and got rejected - 20 times.

The two young informants selected to perform recent alcohol compliance checks called the experience "entertaining" and "intense."

"It was quick," one of the informants, a 20-year-old woman, said of the rejection. "I think what made it go quick was as soon as we got into the door, they asked for our IDs, right off the bat. There was no messing around."

(Because the Rapid City Police Department uses the same informants for different stings, the informants' names will not be used.)

Had the informants been successful in buying alcohol, they would have made a quick call to the law enforcement officials waiting outside in an unmarked car.

Among the establishments checked on the recent sting were grocery stores, casinos and restaurants.

Boyd's Liquor Mart on Mount Rushmore Road was one of the businesses to pass the sting.

Loni Korang, one of the store's managers, said she was pleased that the store passed the compliance check. Store employees are careful about making sure to card people when necessary, she said.

"We get a bonus for passing a sting, so we usually get excited," she said. "We know we're doing our job."

Korang said the store has not failed a compliance check in the four years she has worked there. She estimates that the store was last checked more than a year ago.

The owners of the store emphasize the importance of carding people, Korang said.

"They make sure to tell us that we need to check IDs, even if we know them - just to do our job and stay on our toes," she said.

The female informant who went into Boyd's and other businesses has helped police on two other compliance checks, but it was the first such experience for the 18-year-old male informant. He thought the experience was "entertaining" and thought the two would get at least somebody to bite.

"I learned that there's a lot less places than I thought that would sell to minors," he said.

But that's exactly how the police department likes it.

"Tonight, we had a perfect night," said Joleen Ollerich, a compliance officer for the Rapid City Police Department. "We had zero violations, and that's exactly what we intend for every time."

She said the police department usually averages one or two violations per compliance check.

Ollerich said the stings help to protect area youths.

"Businesses are paying more attention to the laws, and attitudes are changing," she said. "It's not going to be socially acceptable anymore to supply our youth with alcohol, and we're creating a safe environment for them by doing these alcohol stings."

Even though both informants were asked to leave numerous establishments Thursday night, neither could become accustomed to the stares they usually received after being kicked out.

"To be honest, that's one thing you don't get used to," the woman said. "You don't get used to that awkward moment of getting rejected from the bar. It's pretty intense."

The following businesses passed a recent compliance check run by the Rapid City Police Department: Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Chuck E. Cheese's, Boyd's Liquor Mart, Safeway Food Store, 8th St. Lounge, Colonial House, Ruby Tuesday's, Buffalo Wings & Rings, Autumn Hills Liquor, Arrowhead Country Club, Common Cents, Uncle Sam's Casino (two locations), Happy Jack's Casino, Pizza Hut, King of Hearts Casino, Thrifty Smoke Shop and FTC Express.

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com.