June 9, 2008
OLYMPIA - Four businesses in Pacific County failed liquor compliance checks conducted on Friday, June 6, as part of a joint enforcement effort by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the Raymond and South Bend police departments and the Pacific County Sheriff's Office.
The organizations checked 11 businesses, and four were cited for selling alcohol to investigative aides working with police and liquor enforcement officers.
This is the first citation for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor within the past two years for all four businesses. The four establishments face either a five day suspension of their liquor license or a $500 fine in lieu of suspension.
The Washington State Liquor Control Board and local authorities regularly conduct compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol. These businesses include spirits, beer and wine restaurants, large grocery chains, neighborhood markets, taverns, wine bars and sports/entertainment facilities. Compliance checks are proven tools to reduce the sale of alcohol to minors.
Liquor enforcement officers conduct compliance checks assisted by investigative aides. These individuals are from 17 to 20 years old. They must present their true identification if asked by a clerk. However, they may attempt to be evasive if asked their age but not asked for their I.D.
Liquor enforcement officers are empowered to issue Administrative Violation Notices to businesses that fail compliance checks. Fines or temporary license suspensions can be issued depending on the severity of the infraction or the frequency with which a business has been cited. Clerks who sell can also receive a criminal citation. Liquor enforcement officers look at the past two years when determining fines or temporary license suspensions.
Businesses who sold to a minor on June 6:
-River Dale Grocery and Deli, 1901 Park Ave. in Raymond
-Raymond Quick Stop 101 Chevron, 622 Heath St. in Raymond
-Bay Center Country Store, Second and Main in Bay Center
-Dock of the Bay, 378 Bay Center Road in Bay Center
Businesses who did not sell to a minor on June 6:
-Raymond Grocery Deli, 529 Duryea in Raymond
-Raymond Shell, 300 Willapa Place in Raymond
-Everybody's, 700 Willapa Place in Raymond
-Galey's, 345 State Route 6 in Raymond
-Tombstone Willey's, 8 Camp One Road in Raymond
-South Bend Food Mart, 104 E. Robert Bush Drive in South Bend
-Willapa Lanes, 128 W. Robert Bush Drive in South Bend
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