|
|
|
|
From: Lieut. Dave Brown Date: July 23, 2007 Subject: Operation Shoulder Tap
On Tuesday, July 17, 2007, detectives assigned to the Lynn Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit, (SIU) in conjunction with volunteers from Girl’s Inc., once again conducted, “Operation Shoulder Tap.” The (SIU) frequently conducts compliance checks of establishments with alcoholic licenses, in order to insure that underage persons do not purchase alcohol. This particular operation, allows police to determine how easy or difficult it is for underage persons to find a person of legal age, to buy alcohol for them. A young looking underage volunteer, would remain outside of a package store, and ask approaching customers to purchase liquor. SIU Detectives, who were close by monitored the encounters. The underage volunteers approached 100 people outside of various package stores throughout the city. The package stores that cooperated with this endeavor were: Hart’s Liquors, 863 Western Ave; Richdale Store, 149 Walnut St; MC Heald, 6 Commercial St.; Sullivans Liquors, 196 Essex St.; Mike’s Liquors, 2 Adams St. Ext.; Chestnut St. Liquors, 348 Chestnut St.; Debro Liquors, 649 Eastern Ave.; Dymes Package Store, 780 Washington St.; Enjoy Liquors, 53 Union St.; Centro Liquors, 395 Essex St.; and Sonny’s Market, 207 Washington St. The store managers and/or owners were informed of, and agreed with the operation prior to its start. Of the 100 people approached and asked to purchase alcohol, only nine agreed to do so. These individuals never actually purchased alcoholic beverages for the minors, and were educated, about the dangers of doing so. According to MADD and Girl’s Inc., the compliance rate of just about 90% was a good standard. The objective of this operation was to raise awareness, and seek voluntary compliance of the laws that govern alcoholic beverages. Although voluntary compliance is preferred, police will utilize criminal and administrative penalties when necessary, to help enhance public safety.
|
|
|