Area Stores Get Perfect Scores in Recent ‘Minor Sting Operations’

Recently, The Coalition, Inc. partnered with the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission (TABC) to conduct a series of alcohol stings in February. Under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, juveniles under the legal age to drink/purchase alcohol are used as decoys to enter businesses that are licensed to sell alcohol and then attempt to purchase alcohol.

"The ultimate goal is to protect the youth of Angelina County from underage drinking, which is proven to increase the risk of sexual assault and impaired driving," said Sharon Kruk, Executive Director of The Coalition, Inc. "We are grateful for the local retailers who train their employees on responsible beverage service and correct alcohol sales. It’s up to all of us to work together to protect our youth from the consequences of underage drinking.”

During the February minor sting operations, all ten stores did not sell to minors. We commend those stores who did not sell alcohol to minors in our community and recognize them for helping to combat underage drinking:

• Big’s, 909 South Medford Drive;
• JR Food Mart, 1114 East Denman Avenue;
• Kwik Korner Food Mart, 2215 East Denman Avenue;
• Big’s, 3019 South John Redditt Drive;
• Lucky’s, 1707 North John Redditt Drive;
• Lucky’s, 3385 Ted Trout Drive;
• On The Road, 3503 South Chestnut Street;
• Pilot Mini Mart, 1920 East Denman Avenue;
• Homer Mini Mart, 7075 HWY 69 South; and
• Brookshire Brothers, 816 North Timberland Drive.

Sale to a minor is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4,000, confinement up to a year in jail, or both. Persons 21 or older (other than a parent or guardian) can be held liable for damages caused by intoxication of a minor under 18 if the adult knowingly provided alcoholic beverages to a minor or knowingly allowed the minor to be served or provided alcohol beverages on the premises owned by or leased by the adult.

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information on how to help prevent underage drinking, contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308.