April 29, 2009, Canton, MI - The Canton Police Departments Special Enforcement Unit conducted alcohol and tobacco sales checks during the month of April. Decoy minors attempted to purchase either alcohol or tobacco at 15 businesses in Canton. Three businesses sold to a minor decoy, while 12 refused the sale. A complete list of the locations checked is shown below:

Business Name;  Location;   Status

Marathon Gas; 41479 Michigan; Sold alcohol to minor
Pinetree Market; 42444 Ford; Sold alcohol to minor
CVS; 1791 S. Haggerty; Did not sell alcohol
Richardsons Pharmacy; 42433 Ford; Did not sell alcohol

CVS; 225 N. Canton Center; Sold tobacco to minor
Oakview Party Store; 42256 Palmer; Did not sell tobacco
Rite Aid; 4151 S. Canton Center; Did not sell tobacco
BP Gas; 125 S. Canton Center; Did not sell tobacco
Walgreens; 44300 Ford; Did not sell tobacco
Mobil Gas; 44350 Warren; Did not sell tobacco
Mirage Party Store; 8177 Sheldon; Did not sell tobacco
BP Gas; 8787 Sheldon; Did not sell tobacco
Sunoco Gas; 42495 Joy; Did not sell tobacco
Discount Beverage; 8673 Lilley; Did not sell tobacco
Marathon Gas; 42438 Warren; Did not sell tobacco

The Special Enforcement Unit has performed alcohol and tobacco compliance checks at local businesses for the past several years. The SEU utilizes a "zero tolerance" enforcement strategy when dealing with violations of alcohol and tobacco sales to minors. Under local ordinance, alcohol sales to under age persons as the result of an undercover operation result in a civil infraction ticket being issued to the server or salesperson with a fine of not more than $100.00. The establishment is cited for a Liquor Control Commission (LCC) violation, resulting in an administrative hearing with the LCC. Sales of tobacco products to persons under age 18 result in a misdemeanor ticket being issued to the sales person with a fine of up to $50.00.

###