Five busted in alcohol sales sting

Five Carson City businesses served alcohol to minors during another in an ongoing series of alcohol compliance checks where deputies send in underage decoys to purchase alcohol.

"It's apparent that some people are not getting the message that we are serious about these compliance checks. We will continue to do them and we will continue to do them aggressively," said Sheriff Ken Furlong who began the program in July 2003.

Since then, deputies have conducted 626 checks and 125 people have been cited, netting an estimated $79,000 in fines for the city.

"We have no hidden agendas about it. I want to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, and those businesses who refuse to comply are risking their license," Furlong said. "How hard is it to ask for an ID? This does not take a college graduate or an electrical engineer, all you have to do is ask for ID and look at it."

The latest check was Monday in which deputies and a 17-year-old girl visited 18 Carson City businesses in which alcohol is served. If the minor is asked for her identification, she provides her real ID. Sometimes the servers are alert and refuse to sell to the minor. Other times the servers don't look at the age on the card and serve the minor anyway, Furlong said.

Those businesses at which servers received a $632 citation during Monday's sting were: China Chef, Sparky's, Carson Station, Woody's and Cactus Jacks.

The people at these locations will have to attend mandatory server training as well as pay a fine.

The following businesses turned the decoy away: AM PM Mini Market on Highway 50 East, 7-Eleven at 3083 Highway 50 East, Albertsons on Highway 50 East, Tommy's Bar, Eagle Gas & Save, Horseshoe Club, Old Globe Saloon, Mo and Sluggo's, AM PM Mini Market on South Carson Street, Carson Nugget, Club Fusion, Wal-Mart and DS Food and Liquor.

Deputy Jarrod Adams said that as part of the alcohol sting program, six "Responsible Vendor Alcohol Compliance Trainings" are scheduled between now and July, with the first seminar Sept. 8.

These seminars are offered free to any business holding a liquor license in Carson City. All business owners and staff responsible for selling or serving alcohol are encouraged to attend.

The training will provide information on proper identification checking of minors, state laws and local ordinances, a simple system for refusing sales, tips for managing liquor displays, and responsible serving of alcoholic beverages.

Contact 882-6674 to register. Due to limited space, registrations should be made in advance.

This alcohol compliance program is funded in part by Stand Tall Don't Fall - Nevada's Enforcing Underage Drinking Project.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.

If you go

WHAT: Training for "Responsible Vendor Alcohol Compliance Training"

WHEN:

• Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon

• Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon

• Jan. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon

• March 6, from 10 a.m. to noon

• June 12, from 10 a.m. to noon

WHERE: Carson City Sheriff's Department's Jail Conference Room, 901 E. Musser St.

REGISTER: Call 882-6674, due to limited space, registrations should be made in advance.

COST: Free for any Carson City business holding a liquor license