To serve or not to serve: That should not be the question.
At least not when it comes to businesses selling alcohol to underage buyers, says Police Chief Jerry Narsh.
The Lake Orion Police Department conducted a controlled decoy operation Saturday, Oct. 28, at all eight establishments authorized to sell alcohol within the village limits.
The result was that half of the establishments did not sell to an underage decoy, while the other half did. And 50 percent, says Narsh, ‘is not a passing grade.?
The operation was conducted under the direction of Police Lt. Harold Rossman, with the assistance of a 19-year-old female civilian, who visited each of the establishments on the list.
The underage decoy, who possessed a valid Michigan Driver License showing her correct age, attempted to purchase alcohol at each of the eight places of business.
‘We are pleased with the establishments that passed the test and checked the decoy’s ID,? said Narsh. ‘We are not pleased that 50 percent of our businesses failed. We’ll work with them to ensure that they are following Michigan law at all times.?
Narsh believes that decoy operations such as the one conducted over the weekend, actually helps business owners who could be the subject of fines from the Michigan Liquor Commission.
‘The business owner typically wants to know if this is going on in his establishment,? says Narsh. ‘They don’t want to have to pay a fine or end up being liable if someone leaves their establishment and gets in an accident.?
Narsh warns that more decoy operations will be conducted in the future.