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Three Batavia stores sold alcohol to a minor, according to Batavia Police

By Howard B. Owens

In a compliance check of local stores that sell alcohol on Friday, three store clerks were cited by the Batavia Police Department for allegedly selling liquor to minors.

The police used an under-age buyer with a valid New York driver's license in the compliance check. The person entered 18 local stores and attempted to buy beer, wine or liquor.

The clerks cited worked for Kwik Fill, 99 Jackson St.; Plaza Spirits, 563 E. Main St.; and, Wilson Farms, 355 W. Main St..

The clerks will be given a chance to complete a server-training course in exchange for possible dismissal of the charges. The names of the clerks were not released.

The operation was supervised by detectives Rich Schauf and Todd Crossett.

bud prevost

Can you say "entrapment" ???

I can, but I won't. Those 3 people weren't doing their jobs. I also can say "ineptness", which is much more appropriate in this case

Dec 3, 2009, 8:43am Permalink
Marie Smith

I find it interesting that you complain when someone breaks the law. I am pretty sure if you read the article, the police send in an underage person with an under 21 licsense. How is that entrapment. That is the clerk not doing their job by checking an I.D. and it is the law. 15 other establishments got it right that night, so I say congratulations to them, they are doing a great job and lets educate the people who didn't pass, so when it really is an underage person trying to buy alcohol they wont sell to them.

And on a seperate note, I think it is great that we have a place like GCASA in our community. Instead of sweeping the problems under the rug and hoping they go away GCASA deals with them. Maybe people have a hard time with that, but lets not be blind people!

Dec 3, 2009, 8:47am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Marie - I agree with most of what you say and I wouldn't have such a hard time with GCASA if they didn't import people from other counties to help which becomes a drain on our tax dollars. I lived next to one of their halfway houses on Trumbull and got to know several of the men who lived there over the years. Most of them were from either Monroe or Erie counties but Genesee County was supporting them with thousands of dollars in Medicaid, welfare and food stamps every month. We have enough needy people here in our community that really need assistance without importing them from other communities.

Dec 3, 2009, 9:01am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

It's not entrapment because the police carefully set up the situation to ensure there was nothing about the attempted purchase that would occur anyway.

It would be entrapment if they sent somebody in who said, "Look, I know I'm under 21, but I'll give you $20 if you sell me some booze."

And that may not even be the best example, but you get the idea. The person who went in was under 21 and had a valid ID that clearly showed she was under 21. It's logical to assume that those accused of allegedly selling this person booze would have apparently done that in the normal course of business.

Dec 3, 2009, 9:01am Permalink
Julie A Pappalardo

Perfect example of bad management. They should be REQUIRING their employees to take the class!! Anyone who owns a business that sells alcohol should sen their employees. The class used to be free... I don't know what's up with it now that there is this HUGE budget deficit.

Dec 3, 2009, 10:53am Permalink
Thomas Mooney

I would much rather see our police target drug dealers , but then again that would be dangerous . Our police don't want to do dangerous stuff in they don't have to .

Dec 3, 2009, 12:00pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

We've reported several arrests of drug dealers over the past year or so. Genesee County law enforcement seems particularly aggressive in going after drug dealers.

Dec 3, 2009, 12:11pm Permalink
Thomas Mooney

I agree , but Howard I can find another dozen drug dealers just by walking up State Street. Also how many were arrested by Batavia Police , the numbers don't add up compared to other crimes .There should be more done ,before our citizens wake up and realize that the Sherif Dept.and State police are doing a lot more than our city police . Is the police department even worth the bother if other agencies are doing the grunt work .

Dec 3, 2009, 12:39pm Permalink
Thomas Mooney

So that means the everyday police beat officer does nothing because a couple of the detectives lend a hand with the investigation and the police dept. gets some credit . Come on , no Batavia police dept.,there would be no change except less seatbelt and cellphone violations and they don't like giving those out either because of the backlash.

Dec 3, 2009, 12:53pm Permalink
Bea McManis

If I'm not mistaken, there was a notice last week telling those who sell alcohol that there would be increased checks.
If the managers of the stores and the owners of bars didn't send a strong reminder to their employees to be more aware than usual, then the consequences fall both on them and those they employ.
They were warned and didn't heed the warning.

Dec 3, 2009, 1:00pm Permalink
C D

Underage drinking is like trying to keep teenagers from having sex. It's going to happen eventually, whether you like it or not.

Time is better spent educating those under 21 on what not to do instead of a flat "don't do it", with better results.

Dec 3, 2009, 1:19pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

The clerks will be given a chance to complete a server-training course in exchange for possible dismissal of the charges. The names of the clerks were not released.
So is this the same punishment if a Adult buys or gives alcohol to someone they thought was 21...You would think that would be the number one reason to fire that person...
What classes do you really need to ask to see someones ID...Is this run through GCASA..

Dec 3, 2009, 1:42pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Isn't it illegal for a minor to even attempt to purchase alcohol? If so, how is it legal for the police to send an underage person into a store to purchase it?

On another note, a person that's 18 can vote, be drafted if a draft is enacted, join the military, get married, legally make babies, get a JOB, become a police officer, own a home, have a bank account and credit card, own a firearm and fly a plane but can't buy alcohol. I could legally buy alcohol when I was 18 all those years ago.

Sometimes there's just no common sense in this world.

Dec 4, 2009, 3:45pm Permalink
bud prevost

Doug- thank the lawyers and the irresponsible for the near extinction of common sense. I know these kids are only doing their job, but I am obviously weel beyond 30 years old. Don't ask me for my ID or my birthdate, I hate being reminded how old I am. If a person looks like they fart dust, trust your judgement

Dec 4, 2009, 3:59pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

HAHA BUD! I couldn't agree more.

I could say that I'd love to go live in some remote valley in Alaska and get away from it all but even that doesn't work anymore. Recently while watching an episode of "Alaska State Troopers", I saw the Troopers just about bust someone for driving their ATV while intoxicated. This wasn't on any highway or even near any populated area. There wasn't even a road within 3 hours of 4-wheeler distance. These Troopers were out checking fishing licenses of ice fishermen and had traveled about 3 hours into the bush by 4-wheeler. The fishermen had been minding their own business many miles from any populated area, enjoying their beverages while fishing and then were getting ready to come back out when the police arrived. They weren't going crazy on their 4-wheelers or bothering anyone else but the police were their to show them who was boss even when they really weren't doing anything wrong. I simply can't stand the nanny state "gonna watch your every move" mentality that has pervaded our lives. I'm tired of it.

Dec 4, 2009, 5:17pm Permalink

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