Lake Oswego Police To Test Local Sales Of Alcohol To Minors

LAKE OSWEGO, OR — Beginning next week, Lake Oswego police will crack down on the underage sale of alcohol to minors during a month-long sting operation.

Using underage decoys, police will send minors into Lake Oswego businesses and attempt to purchase alcohol between June 15 and July 16. Previous stings, police officials said, showed "very good compliance from local businesses."

According to police, businesses are required to ask for ID from anyone purchasing alcohol who appears younger than 26 years old. Anyone who violates the law and provides alcohol to a person under 21 years old faces a first-time offense fine of $500, which increases with each subsequent violation and could also include jail time, depending on the circumstances.

Alcohol, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, is used more by minors in the U.S. than any other drug, including tobacco.

From the Lake Oswego Police Department:

Underage alcohol consumption in the United States is a widespread and persistent public health and safety problem that creates serious personal, social, and economic consequences for adolescents, their families, communities, and the nation as a whole…

The City has conducted similar operations in the past and has had very good compliance from local businesses. By continuing to reinforce the importance of preventing underage drinking, the Police Department hopes to achieve 100% compliance from businesses this year.

For more information about this month-long operation in Lake Oswego, contact LOPD Sgt. Mike McIrvin at 503-635-0250.

Photo Courtesy: Lake Oswego Police Department