Date: Fri 23-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

business-police-drinking

Full Text:

Police Work With Retailers To

Crack Down On Underage Drinking

Police Chief James E. Lysaght, Jr, said Wednesday the police are working with

the owners of retail alcohol outlets to ensure that alcohol isn't sold to

underage people.

The chief was slated this week to meet with the owners of retail alcohol

outlets to discuss the police department's program of enforcing laws which

specify people under 21 are not allowed to buy alcohol.

As part of that effort, posters are being printed which will be posted at

alcohol outlets explaining it's illegal for people under 21 to buy beer, wine

or spirits, the chief said. The posters state the store cooperates with the

police.

Initially, the "zero tolerance" alcohol enforcement program will be in effect

at package stores, supermarkets and convenience stores. Later, it will expand

to restaurants and bars, the chief said.

The owners of liquor outlets are aware of state laws and penalties concerning

the sale of alcohol to underage people, he said.

Underage buyers of alcohol also are subject to criminal penalties.

The sellers of liquor to underage people also face potential civil liabilities

in the event that accidents occur as a result of alcohol sales to people who

are legally too young to buy, according to the chief.

Chief Lysaght says he wants the owners of retail alcohol outlets to tell him

what the police can do to get better local compliance with the alcohol sales

laws.

Also, the police want to know how they can better protect the people who work

in stores that sell alcohol, he said.

Store owners should notify police of people seeking to illegally buy alcohol

and people who present counterfeit identification cards in an attempt to do

so, the chief said.

"Education and cooperation is the best way to achieve compliance in the

community," he said.