40 stores refuse to sell teen alcohol

A 17-year-old working undercover with Largo police gets only lectures while approaching store clerks to buy alcohol.

By CHRIS TISCH
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 28, 2002

LARGO -- During spring break last year, police sent an underage student into 32 convenience stores and gas stations to try to buy alcohol.

At 14 of those businesses, clerks allowed the student to buy alcohol. Police said they were disturbed that so many businesses were serving alcohol to minors during spring break.

This week, Largo police headed out again with an underage student. The student went to 40 businesses. None of them served the 17-year-old. In fact, most of the clerks at those businesses gave the student a lecture about trying to buy alcohol while underage.

"Our investigative aide got pretty much lambasted by most of the store owners," said Sgt. Andy Hill of the Police Department's services division.

Why the change?

Hill said he thinks it's because business owners are understanding that serving minors won't be tolerated. Police run these undercover operations every four to six weeks -- and one is always around spring break, he said.

The operations have been going on in Largo for years, and Hill says there have been gradual improvements. He said the department's efforts -- which include talking to store owners who serve minors -- may have hit home with merchants this year.

On another front, police sent a 14-year-old student into the 40 stores to try to buy tobacco. Four of them served the student.

The clerks at those four stores received notices to appear in court, where they most likely will receive probation or a fine. Police also forwarded those cases to the Florida Division of Alcohol and Tobacco for possible administrative action against the businesses.

Those businesses are: Texaco, 2400 East Bay Drive; Eckerd Drugs, 2390 Belcher Road; Texaco, 17219 U.S. 19; and 7-Eleven, 13355 Belcher Road.

Hill said he thinks Largo enforces laws on alcohol and tobacco sales to minors more than other cities of similar size. He said it was a priority set by the youth services division years ago.

"They know we're out there," he said of Largo merchants. "One of the ways we can attack possession is by attacking the source itself."

Students used as undercover aides are usually members of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) at Largo High School who volunteer to help.

"Some of the kids really enjoy doing our details," Hill said. "They really think they're making a difference."

Police watch the children closely while they are in the stores to ensure their safety, Hill said. They also pick children who look youthful, so it doesn't appear as if they're trying to trick merchants.

"We put the kids out there with the understanding that a good day is what we had (Tuesday), where we had none," Hill said. "We just want to limit the availability of that stuff to the kids."

-- Chris Tisch can be reached at 445-4156 or tisch@sptimes.com.

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