Thu, Nov 26 2009
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Tougher laws needed, some victims claim “They’re looking for repeat violations,” he said. “(Alcohol Control) is very serious with how they do it. They make those businesses stay on their toes.”
The record Records from the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control indicate most businesses that sell alcohol to minors are generally fined, or at most lose their liquor license for just a few days. According to documents obtained through a Missouri Open Records request, there were 43 alcohol retailers in Jasper and Newton counties cited for selling alcohol to a minor from Jan. 1, 2006, to the present. Most of those businesses were fined, with fines ranging from $150 to $700. The average fine was $200 to $400. Several businesses caught during that time were only warned. Four of the businesses were suspended from selling alcohol for up to 5 days as a penalty; none had their licenses permanently revoked. Documents provided by the state agency also suggest a varied response to repeat offenses. A Kum & Go, 3505 S. Range Line Road, was cited on Jan. 7 and again on Jan. 28, 2006, for selling to minors, but only received warnings each time. A Grace Energy location, 3347 Range Line Road, was cited March 16 and again on May 18, 2007, and received fines of $500 and $700 respectively. “I don’t think they are near tough enough,” said Kerry Freeman, head of Jasper County’s Mothers Against Drunk Driving. “I would think they do need to lose their license ... pull their license, that would hit their pocketbooks more than a $500 fine.” Sue Hirshey, owner of Sue’s C-Store, 26206 Fir Road, in Carl Junction, said consistency and observation are needed from the stores to screen underage kids and to ensure adults are not purchasing for minors. Sue’s C-Store has no violations for sales to underage minors. “It’s just a matter of carding everyone,” Hirshey said in a phone interview. One situation that Hirshey or her employees have seen is where an adult will enter the store and try to purchase alcohol -- with several teens waiting in their car. Sometimes, it’s just parents buying alcohol for themselves while “You just have to watch the situation and try to read people,” Hirshey said. “We have refused to sell if it looks like they are taking orders for kids The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control did not return multiple phone calls made to its Jefferson City office over the last two weeks. Freeman wants tougher sentences not only for retailers but also for any adult who buys it for a minor as well as those who are driving drunk. Freeman’s 18-year-old daughter, Christina, was killed after getting in the car with a 17-year-old driver, who according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, had allegedly been using drugs and alcohol. 
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