Unusual Result Highlights Enfield Liquor Compliance Check

ENFIELD, CT — In an out-of-the norm result, it was a clean sweep on the compliance side after a liquor sting in Enfield last week, police said.

The state Department of Consumer Protection's Liquor Control Division and the Enfield Police Department conducted a series of unannounced compliance checks with package stores and supermarkets last Thursday during the evening hours. A total of 23 locations were tested for compliance with assistance from two volunteer minors who had been trained by the Department of Mental Health Addiction Services Alcohol Compliance Check Program.

"We are pleased to announce that all 23 locations passed the compliance check," police said. "Routine compliance checks help the department to identify businesses that knowingly or unknowingly sell alcohol to minors. Compliance checks are not intended to hurt local businesses, but are intended to bring them into compliance with state law."

Normally, the stings uncover at least one violation, Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox said.

"In my experience, there’s usually at least one," said Fox, a veteran of both state and local police forces. "I think this is a win-win situation from an enforcement point of view. If a violation is detected, appropriate enforcement action is taken. If none are detected, it’s indicative of appropriate behavior and judgment on the part of liquor sellers."

The minors assisting police always state their accurate age, if asked, and, if an identification is requested of them, they produce their real "underage" ID cards or driver's licenses, Fox said. The complaince checks are designed to be "extremely transparent" and represent "efforts to combat underage drinking and the dangers that it represents."

Stores visited include:

• Galaxy Liquor Store, 247 Hazard Ave.
• LIL Buddy Mini Mart, 284 N. Maple St.
• Angie’s State Line, 90 Enfield St.
• Enfield Liquor Warehouse, 496 Enfield St.
• Stop & Save Food Mart, 583 Enfield St.
• Enfield Liquor & Wine, 920 Enfield St.
• Enfield Food Mart, 935 Enfield St.
• Good Times Package Store, 92 Pearl St.
• Caronnas Package Store, 15 Pearl St.
• Enfield Discount Wines, 95 Elm St.
• K H & H Liquors, 13 Elm St.
• Elm Street Liquors, 199 Elm St.
• Jug Shop, 80 Hazard Ave.
• Big Y, 65 Palomba Drive.
• Stop & Shop, 54 Hazard Ave.
• Harry’s Discount Liquor, 54 Hazard Ave.
• Shoprite, 40 Hazard Ave.
• Aldi, 25 Hazard Ave.
• Enfield Convenience, 136 South Road
• Kings Wine & Liquors, 1541 King St.
• Four Corners Package Store, 229 Post Office Road
• Southwood Acre, 83 Raffia Rd.

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