January 19, 2010, Canton, MI – Canton Police Department’s statistics for 2009 alcohol and tobacco decoy enforcement and prevention program are complete, and show a steady decline in the number of establishments selling alcohol and tobacco to minors.

The department’s 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.

In 2009, the department cited 20 businesses for the sale of alcohol or tobacco to decoys under the legal age. In 2008, the department cited 30 businesses; a 33% decline. In addition, 20 more businesses were checked in 2009 than in 2008.

"We consider the decline in the number of sales as evidence of the success of the program," says Special Services Lieutenant Scott Hilden. "The word is out among Canton’s businesses—don’t sell to minors, or risk being penalized locally and/or by the State of Michigan," he adds.

Under local ordinance, a business that sells alcohol to underage persons as the result of an undercover operation results 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 State of Michigan 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.

Businesses that successfully checked a decoy’s identification and refused the sale were sent letters of congratulations and certificates of recognition for display in their business.