SIX STORE CLERKS CITED FOR SELLING ALCOHOL TO A MINOR
SIX STORE CLERKS CITED FOR SELLING ALCOHOL TO A MINOR
By Sgt. Mike Childs, Public Information Officer LSPD
Lee’s Summit, Mo. – Tuesday evening 06-30-09 the Lee’s Summit Police Department conducted a quarterly liquor control “sting” operation within the city. The “sting” targeted retail establishments responsible for following state and federal law regarding the sale of alcohol to minors. A total of nineteen businesses were checked, with six clerks being cited for an illegal sale.
During the operation an underage decoy will enter the business and attempt to purchase alcohol while wearing recording equipment to verify actions of both the decoy and business clerk. The business clerk plays an important role in preventing underage alcohol consumption by completing one task, and that is verifying the age of the purchaser. If the business clerk refuses to sell then management receives a letter congratulating them on the appropriate action of their employee.
If an illegal sale is made a detective with the Special Investigative Unit will enter the business after the decoy exits and issue a citation for the sale of alcohol to a minor. The citation has a maximum penalty or fine of up to $500 and up six months in jail. The clerk has the primary responsibility for verifying age which is why they receive the citation and not the business. If repeated violations do occur at a particular business Missouri State Liquor Control may initiate disciplinary action against the business liquor license.
Citations were issued to business clerks at convenience or grocery stores in the 300 block of SE Third St., the 600 block of SW Jefferson St., the 300 block of SW Blue Pkwy., the 3500 block of SW Market St., the 200 block of SW Greenwich, and the 1800 block of NW Chipman Rd.
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