THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 7, 1995 TAG: 9501070212
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PERRY PARKS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Minors looking for drinks this weekend may want to think twice before trying to buy booze in Elizabeth City.
Starting Friday and continuing tonight, underage buyers in city convenience and ABC stores run the risk of plopping beer or wine bottles down in front of undercover officers.
Eight Alcohol Law Enforcement officers are teaming up with local merchants, Elizabeth City police and the Pasquotank County Sheriff's office under the ``Cops in Shops'' program. The program is also taking place in three other state locations this weekend.
Also, posters and stickers will go up at establishments around the city as a warning to underage buyers and adults who might be willing to buy for them.
Officers will be in stores - authorities won't say how many - acting as clerks.
``Our goal is to prevent the sales of alcoholic beverages to underage patrons,'' said Bill Williams, ALE supervisor for District 1, which is headquartered in Edenton and covers 12 counties.
``We will prosecute those that we catch.''
Attempts by underage people to buy alcohol are misdemeanors punishable by up to two years in jail and fines of $2,000, Williams said.
The program, part of an overall push to reduce drunken driving, includes the state's ``Booze It & Lose It'' campaign, and aims to educate and enforce, officials said at a news conference at the Elizabeth City Police Department Friday.
The efforts reflect a spirit of cooperation among law enforcement divisions and private organizations across the state, said Tim Phillips of the Governor's Highway Safety Program.
``They are all getting together, sending the message out,'' Phillips said.
``North Carolina is one of the leaders in the nation when it comes to highway safety.
``What you're seeing is part of a trend. . . . Drinking and driving used to be socially acceptable. It's not socially acceptable anymore.''
Also participating this weekend are Fayetteville, High Point and Haywood County, officials said. The police officers also will be in the shops on a future weekend, which has not been announced, Williams said.
KEYWORDS: UNDERAGE DRINKING ALCOHOL by CNB