Minors who like to party at bars may find DeKalb’s 21-and-over establishments taking less chances.

The DeKalb police department is due to receive a national award in Arizona this August for its outstanding performance in reducing minor-age alcohol consumption during 2003 and 2004.

In 2003, DeKalb received a Hire Back grant for $60,000 from the office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in an effort to enforce underage drinking laws in DeKalb, Police Chief Bill Feithen said.

The grant allows the department to hire back off-duty officers at an overtime rate in order to enforce a particular rule, Feithen said.

“Similar grants are received in order to enforce DUI, cigarette smoking and seat-belt laws,” Feithen said.

Participation in previous government programs was a big reason DeKalb was selected as a top choice to receive the grant.

“The State of Illinois wanted DeKalb to receive the money because it was a good trial community and had worked well in other programs before,” said Kris Polvsen of the DeKalb County Partnership for a Safe, Active and Family Environment.

The grant was used over a two-year period and the results show just how effective the money was, Polvsen said.

DeKalb liquor establishments increased their compliance to not serve alcohol to minors from 44 percent in September 2002 to 75 percent in November 2003.

“Good prevention is more than just good work,” said Polvsen. “We don’t do something unless we can measure the results.”

The grant was a one-time deal for DeKalb but will potentially be given to smaller communities in Illinois, Polvsen said.

Even though the grant is no longer there, the city has budgeted for the program to continue, Polvsen said.