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     PRESS RELEASE

Middletown Police see marked improvement during alcohol sale to minors enforcement
December 22, 2009

 Press Release

For the second time since September, the Middletown Police in conjunction with the New York State Liquor Authority conducted an enforcement operation for the illegal sale of alcohol to minors.

On Friday, December 18, the City of Middletown Police and New York State Liquor Authority Investigators visited approximately 45 establishments which hold off-site liquor licenses. Only two of the 45 stores sold an alcoholic beverage to the under age-undercover agents who were working with the City of Middletown Police and State Liquor Authority Investigators.

The two arrests, as a result of the operation, signifies a marked improvement from an enforcement effort that was conducted in late September where 11 of 45 establishments sold to an underage-undercover agent. These numbers reflect an 82 percent decline in arrests in the illegal sale of alcohol to a minor.

The City of Middletown Police is appreciative of the increased diligence shown by store employees when checking the identification of purchasers of alcohol. These enforcement efforts will continue to be a part of the City of Middletown Police Department’s proactive measures to prevent alcohol and drug abuse among our youth. Underage drinking is an area of concern in this community and we will continue to work towards 100% compliance.

These enforcement efforts are made possible by funds received through the STOP, Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act, grant awarded to the Middletown Cares Coalition by the federal government. The Middletown Cares coalition was formed to reduce alcohol and drug abuse among youth.

Those who sold alcohol to minors were arrested and charged with Unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree, a class A misdemeanor and Prohibited Sale of an Alcoholic Beverage, an Unclassified Misdemeanor. Holders of the liquor license are subject to substantial fines imposed by the State Liquor Authority.