Community Corner

Underage Liquor Sales Crackdown This Summer

The Dept. of Consumer Protection is sending undercover officers to find and penalize retailers who sell to the under 21 crowd.

This summer the State Liquor Control will up its enforcement of underage liquor sales, according to a release from the Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection.

Citing long holiday weekends, a broad array of sold-out concerts and outdoor events, and the arrival of college students home for the summer, the department's "Liquor Control Division" will conduct undercover compliance checks, and, according to the release will be on the lookout for retailers who sell to people under 21.

Incidents including arrests and accidents involving teens and liquor have been reported on Connecticut Patch sites including GreenwichDarienNew Canaan, and Stamford.

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"Parents and family members who provide alcohol to someone under age 21 not only break the law, but also contribute to a problem that frequently ends in death for someone’s son or daughter, just about every weekend," said the department's commissioner, William Rubenstein in the release.  

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Last year the department conducted 800 compliance checks at restaurants, bars, package stores, and grocery stores throughout the state, according to the release, and, “The result was 270 liquor permits being temporarily suspended for liquor law violations," according to Rubenstein, who added that approximately $1.35 million in fines were assessed.

The state State Liquor Control agents  will be at events like the Alive at 5 concerts in Stamford and will be present at multiple entertainment venues throughout the summer.

Rubenstein said he encourages parents to talk seriously with their teens this Fourth of July holiday and suggests a visit to www.SetTheRules.org.


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