By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — Business are doing a better job of keeping alcohol out of the hands of minors, according to a recent report by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department.
Funded by a grant through the Community Voices program, the Sheriff’s Department routinely conducts compliance checks by having individuals enter a store to purchase alcohol. If the store clerk does not check the person’s identification, they are issued an administrative summons.
“We use vetted volunteers between 18 and 20 to go into both on premises and off premises of licensed retail liquor sales establishments with money provided to them through the grant,” said Deputy Chief Darrell Crandall. “They are under the watchful eye of law enforcement. The businesses include convenience stores, grocery stores, bars, restaurants and any other establishment licensed by the state to sell liquor. If asked for identification, the underage buyers report they do not have ID (which they do not). If asked for their age or date of birth, they identify themselves by their correct age or date of birth. If the business violates the law and sells them liquor they are issued an administrative summons.”
On two occasions recently the Sheriff’s office participated in underage liquor sales compliance checks with very impressive, positive results, according to officials.
During the first week of December, Sheriff’s deputies and Caribou police officers teamed up to do compliance checks in north-central Aroostook County. Twenty-three licensed businesses were tested and none of them sold to the underage buyer.
This past week, Sheriff’s deputies tested 18 licensed businesses in southern Aroostook County and only one business sold to the underage buyer. That business was not identified, but was issued an administrative summons.
“The number of businesses acting in compliance with the law is consistently increasing over previous years,” Crandall said. “This is good news for everyone.”
