ALE OPERATION FOCUSES ON YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL - 27 ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS CITED FOR VIOLATING ABC LAWS

For Release: Immediate
Date: August 17, 2003

Contact: Rodney Johnson
ALE Supervisor

Phone: 336-315-7070
Pager: 1-800-412-7849

ALE OPERATION FOCUSES ON YOUTH ACCESS TO ALCOHOL
(27 ALCOHOL ESTABLISHMENTS CITED FOR VIOLATING ABC LAWS
104 PEOPLE CITED ON CRIMINAL CHARGES)

Greensboro -- The NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) conducted a two-day special enforcement operation Aug. 14 -16. The operation, designed to raise awareness of the state ABC laws and prevent youth access to alcoholic beverages, coincided with the return of students to area colleges.

ALE agents distributed flyers to area colleges and businesses frequented by college students reminding students and alcohol retailers of penalties for purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages under the age of 21 and selling to persons under 21.

On August 14, ALE agents used two 18 year-olds to visit 97 area businesses that sell alcoholic beverages. Seventeen of the businesses sold alcohol to the 18 year-olds and were cited to the ABC Commission for action against their ABC permits. The store clerks were given criminal citations. Two establishments will be cited to the ABC Commission for violating rules regarding their private clubs being open to the general public and ALE agents also charged six with various misdemeanor drug, fake ID and alcohol violations.

On Aug. 15-16, ALE agents, UNC-Greensboro Police and Greensboro City Police teamed together and focused on house parties, bars and businesses frequented by college-age people. Eighty-one people were cited for various alcohol violations and the hosts of house parties charged for serving minors.

"Based on their comments and the fear of having to tell mom and dad, I don't believe any of those cited were ignorant of the state laws regarding underage drinking," said Rodney Johnson, district supervisor for the ALE Division's Greensboro ALE office. "It appeared most had been forewarned by mom and dad."

In addition to visiting college area bars, several Greensboro area alcohol establishments were visited on Saturday the 16th and seven were cited for continuing to serve alcohol after 2:30a.m.

"ALE will continue special efforts to reduce the availability of alcohol to underage people," Johnson said. "We will partner with local law enforcement agencies and alcohol coalitions to make the most out of our limited resources."

ALE has 76 agents who enforce the state's alcohol, drug and tobacco laws across North Carolina's 100 counties.

Locations selling alcohol to undercover minors on 8/14/03 include: