Fourteen Businesses Keep Youth from Accessing Alcohol in Van Buren County

On January 17^th Alcohol Compliance Checks were completed at 16 alcohol establishments in Van Buren County. Congratulations to the businesses who checked the ID and refused the sale, they included: AJ’s, American Legion, Boyd Grocery, Casey’s, Circle B, First Street Grille, Birmingham Jet Stop, Bonaparte Jet Stop, Milton Jet Stop, Moore’s Grocery, Riverbend Pizza & Steakhouse, Tillie’s Tap, Town & Country Tavern and the Vet’s Club.  

Two businesses, Douds Kwik Stop and River’s Edge Pub & Grub, made sales to a person under the age of 21. The clerks making alcohol sales were issued citations for furnishing alcohol to a person under the legal age. The business may face additional fines from the alcohol and beverage division of Iowa.

The ultimate goal of the compliance checks are to keep youth from accessing alcohol from local retail outlets. The community wants to be sure that all merchants are taking action against youth alcohol access. This can be accomplished by ensuring that all employees are properly trained in checking identification cards. It is important that all employees check the ID of anyone who looks under the age of 40. This process will ensure that youth are unable to purchase alcohol from local retailers.

In an effort to protect the young people of our community, The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office will continue to do random alcohol compliance checks of all alcohol establishments in the county. If your business would like to take part in a FREE merchant alcohol training you may contact the Van Buren County SAFE Coalition at 319-293-6412.