The Wichita Mountains Prevention Network, working with the Frederick Police Department, conducted Alcohol Compliance Checks were conducted Saturday, July 21, 2012 on local businesses which are licensed to sell alcohol beverages.
Kim Booker, Regional Prevention Coordinator, explained a compliance check is a tool to identify alcohol establishments that sell alcohol to underage youth. The checks were coordinated by the Frederick Police Department, Wichita Mountains Prevention Network, and student volunteers. The youth volunteers (under the age of 21) assisted law enforcement as underage buyers. The students entered the businesses and attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages.
According to Booker there were 6 attempts made, a total of 2 retail establishments were not in compliance.
Joel Neely, Assistant Frederick Police Chief, confirmed that minors did buy beer at the two stores but explained it is not the establishment who violated the law but the clerks who made the sale.
As a result,Neely said, Christy Stultz who worked at Dad’s Convenience Store and Alicia Hernandez, who worked at Allsups, were cited for selling low point beer to minors. Neely said the maximum punishment for this offense is a $500.00 fine or one year in the county jail or both.
Booker added, illegal alcohol use by underage minors contributes to various crimes, car crashes, injuries, and even deaths across the State of Oklahoma. Public Health officials report that alcohol use and abuse is also associated with sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy, sexual assault, and other health problems. We have learned that the community and our youth are safer and healthier when they don’t start using alcohol under after they are 21 years of age.
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