Local bars have improved in enforcement of the legal drinking age, Bellevue police said Monday.

The department sent an individual under 21 years old into 37 bars Thursday, and the minor was able to buy alcoholic drinks in only six of the tested establishments.

When Liquor Control officers conducted a similar operation in late May, a minor was able to buy alcohol in 10 of 11 bars. Due to the number of establishments not properly checking identification, Liquor Control offered a free class to all servers shortly before the Aug. 18 check.

During the compliance checks Thursday, only one establishment that served a minor during the May enforcement effort served a minor again.

The results of Thursday’s sweep were a major improvement over what was seen in May. Police said the result came from the extra compliance checks, and the training offered to the failing establishments.

The establishments involved in serving the minors will face civil sanctions by the Liquor Control Board. The person who actually served the minor will face criminal proceedings for a gross misdemeanor charge of serving alcohol to a minor.