HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — On Tuesday, Huntsville Police Department cited 16 convenience stores for selling alcohol to minors after a 5-hour operation. HPD Community Relations Officers and two minors went to 44 stores to see if the store employees would sell to someone underage.
“The juveniles were honest about their ages and showed identification when asked by employees,” Huntsville Police Department said.
Of the 44 stores visited, stores at the following 16 locations were cited for unlawfully selling alcohol to a minor:
- 801 Airport Road
- 513 Drake Ave.
- 3105 Drake Ave.
- 3521 Governors Drive
- 5600 U.S. 431
- 6584 U.S. 431
- 2424 Jordan Lane
- 2990 Jordan Lane
- 2955 Jordan Road
- 619 Oakwood Ave.
- 1176 Old Monrovia Road
- 3801 Patton Road
- 4001 Pulaski Pike
- 5990 Pulaski Pike
- 5830 University Drive
- 2209 Whitesburg Drive
The sale of alcohol to a minor is a misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail or up to a $1,000 fine and subsequent offenses can lead to increased jail time or fines.
Retailers and establishments that are found to sell alcohol to minors risk losing their licenses to sell and/or serve in the future.
The Alabama ABC Board has a voluntary Responsible Vendor Program, which allows licensees to take extra steps to ensure compliance with existing laws. RVP participants train all employees involved in management, sale, or service of alcoholic beverages in determining customers' legal ages, risk reduction, and the penalties involved in illegal sales. More information on that program is available here.
HPD is asking that anyone with information about the sale of alcohol to a minor should call 256-746-4132.
