Media

Metro D. U. I. Officers To Visit Convenience Stores To Stop Beer Sales To Underage Customers

Release Date: November 3, 2003

Officers from the Metro D. U. I. Unit will be using a new approach to stop underage drinking.

“Our mission is simple. We will be working with convenience store operators to get the word out about this growing problem in our community,” said Shelby County Sheriff Mark H. Luttrell, Jr.

Officers from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Memphis and Germantown Police Departments will be delivering posters and buttons to convenience stores throughout Shelby County to remind clerks to check the identification of every customer before selling beer.

Promotional materials have been made available to the law enforcement agencies free of charge through the Century Council, a national organization that works to publicize the dangers of drinking and driving.

Representatives of BP, Mapco and other convenience stores say the promotional materials will offer a “friendly” approach to get the support and cooperation of both the clerks and their customers.

Last year the Shelby County Sheriff's Office issued 12 violations to stores selling beer to minors. Germantown Officers issued 3 citations recently and Memphis Police officers have been instructed to watch for violations when they visit stores.

Sheriff Luttrell, Memphis Police Director James Bolden, Germantown Police Chief Richard Hall, and representatives from several convenience stores will announce details of the program on Monday, November 3, 2003 at 2 o'clock p. m. at the BP store at 2530 Appling near Reese Road.

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