A recent compliance check by Covington Police resulted in three arrests, said police chief Donna Turner.
On Jan. 20, the department used a confidential informant under the legal drinking age to test whether or not businesses licensed to sell beer would sell to a minor.
The operation, done in conjunction with Drug Free Tipton and the Covington Beer Board, took the informant and police to 15 businesses.
Twelve of those businesses – two Exxons, C-Town Market, Walgreens, Thrift Mart, Mapco, Fastimes (Valero), Midway Market IV, Murphy USA, Tobacco Junction, and Midway Market II – passed the test and were in compliance with the law.
Detectives cited clerks at Dollar General (960 Hwy. 51 N; Brianna Tyus), Naifehs Cash Saver (Bri’Anna Wakefield), and Fastway (Kajanda Brown) for the alleged unlawful sell of alcohol to a minor.
“We partner with Drug Free Tipton to assist businesses in Covington to educate clerks and staff to be responsible in the proper sell of alcohol and to support compliance of the rules for beer licenses set by the Covington Beer Board and the State of Tennessee,” said Chief Donna Turner. “I want to congratulate the 12 businesses who were in compliance. We will continue to work with all of our businesses and focus on a 100% compliance city wide.”
“Ongoing alcohol sales compliance checks are an effective prevention tool to protect our youth from access to alcohol and future battles with misuse,” said Robin Racine, Director of Drug Free Tipton. “There is a decrease in the likelihood of establishments selling alcohol to youth after they have been checked by law enforcement. Drug Free Tipton would like to thank the Covington Police Department for the role they play in the protection of our youth.”
The clerks are set to appear in court next month.
Store owners or managers will have to appear before the Covington Beer Board where they could face fines or even suspension of their beer licenses.
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
