October 26, 2007, Canton, MI - The Canton Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit conducted alcohol and tobacco sales checks during the month of October.  Decoy minors attempted to purchase either alcohol or tobacco at 17 businesses in Canton.  One business sold to the minor decoy, while 16 refused the sale.  A complete list of the locations checked is shown below:

 Business Name,  Location,  Status

 CVS, 7269 N. Canton Center, Did not sell alcohol
 Rite Aid,  2249 S. Canton Center, Did not sell alcohol
 Oakview Party Store, 42256 Palmer,  Did not sell alcohol
 CVS,  1791 S. Haggerty,  Did not sell alcohol
 BD’s Mongolian BBQ, 42089 Ford,  Did not sell alcohol
 Outback Steakhouse, 42871 Ford,  Did not sell alcohol
 Mariachi Mexican, 1759 Canton Center, Did not sell alcohol
 
 7-11,  45490 Michigan,  Sold tobacco to minor
 Meijer,  45001 Ford,  Did not sell tobacco
 Maria’s Bakery,  115 N. Haggerty,  Did not sell tobacco
 Marathon Gas,  41439 Michigan,  Did not sell tobacco
 Marathon Gas,  40401 Michigan,  Did not sell tobacco
 Valero Gas,  40200 Michigan,  Did not sell tobacco
 7-11,  45490 Michigan,  Did not sell tobacco
 Amoco Gas,  45495 Michigan,  Did not sell tobacco
 Rite Aid,  4151 S. Canton Center, Did not sell tobacco
 CVS,   225 N. Sheldon,  Did not sell tobacco
 Grapevine,  44285 Ford,  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.

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