September 27, 2007, Canton, MI - The Canton Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit conducted alcohol and tobacco sales checks during the month of September.  Decoy minors attempted to purchase either alcohol or tobacco at 12 businesses in Canton.  Six businesses sold to the minor decoy, while six refused the sale.  A complete list of the locations checked is shown below:

Business Name,  Location,   Status

 Don Pablos, 39895 Ford,  Sold alcohol to minor
 Roman Forum, 41601 Ford,  Sold alcohol to minor
 Pinetree Market, 42444 Ford,  Sold alcohol to minor
 Chuck E. Cheese,  42001 Ford,  Did not sell alcohol
 BJ’s Bowery, 41275 Ford,  Did not sell alcohol
 Logan’s, 39605 Ford,  Did not sell alcohol
 Shark’s Club, 42070 Ford,  Did not sell alcohol

 BP Gas, 8787 N. Sheldon,  Sold tobacco to minor
 Sunoco Gas, 42495 Joy,  Sold tobacco to minor
 Shell Gas,  5640 N. Haggerty,  Sold tobacco to minor
 Mobil Gas,   8773 N. Haggerty,  Did not sell tobacco
 Pinetree Market,  42444 Ford,   Did not sell tobacco

The Special Enforcement Unit has performed tobacco and alcohol compliance checks at local businesses for the past several years.  The SEU utilizes a “zero tolerance” enforcement strategy when dealing with violations of tobacco and alcohol 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.

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