Underage Sales Crackdown in Waterford: 22 Businesses Busted!
Waterford, MI – As the last rays of summer faded and school bells started ringing, the Waterford Township Police, in collaboration with the Waterford Community Coalition, launched a determined effort to combat the sale of alcohol and vape products to underage consumers. In a detailed and covert operation, the police conducted checks on local retailers to ensure they comply with Michigan law, especially regarding the sale of goods to minors.
Operation Overview
Over the past few months, the police team, armed with a mission to keep our community safe, visited a total of 63 businesses selling beer, wine, spirits, and vape products. The key goal here? To ensure these enterprises are responsibly checking IDs and not engaging in unlawful sales to those under 21 years of age.
The police deployed underage decoys who attempted to purchase both alcohol and vape products from each of the establishments. Sadly, the results were disappointing. Out of the 63 retailers checked, three businesses illegally sold alcohol to the underage decoys, while a staggering nineteen vape shops violated state laws by selling vape products to individuals under 21!
The Offending Establishments
It’s essential to call out those businesses that did not uphold the law. The following spots were singled out for selling alcohol to minors:
- Sunoco Gas – 5990 Williams Lake Road
- Waterford Party Shop – 2685 Elizabeth Lake Road
- CVS – 7960 Cooley Lake Road
As for the vape and smoke shops, here’s the list of offenders:
- Glass House Smoke and Vape – 4883 Dixie Highway
- Shell Gas – 5775 Dixie Highway
- Marathon Gas – 3235 Walton Boulevard
- The Smoke Shop – 7938 Cooley Lake Road (twice)
- Lit Tobacco, Vape and Headshop – 6616 Cooley Lake Road
- Aston Tobacco – 7718 Cooley Lake Road
- Wild Bill’s – 5623 Dixie Highway
- Glass House Smoke and Vape – 3424 Highland Road
- Clark Gas – 3510 Highland Road
- Mobil Gas – 3000 Pontiac Lake Road
- The Tobacco Shop – 5380 Highland Road
- Pontiac Lake Express – 2891 Pontiac Lake Road
- Waterford Glass and Vape – 3579 Pontiac Lake Road
- Marathon Gas – 6800 Highland Road
- VC Gas – 7250 Highland Road
- Lit Tobacco, Vape and Headshop – 7524 Highland Road
- Cloud 9 – 1026 Scott Lake Road
- Smoke Buddy – 1033 S. Cass Lake Road
- Select Smoke Shop – 5558 Cooley Lake Road
Good News in the Mix
On a brighter note, it’s crucial to highlight that 41 out of the 63 establishments checked stood strong! These retailers adhered to their responsibility by correctly asking for identification and refusing sales to underage individuals. Kudos to these businesses for keeping our community safe!
Next Steps
The businesses that failed to comply with the law will face referrals to the Liquor Control Commission for follow-up action. Vape shops selling products to minors are being cited under state law. If a retailer sells both alcohol and vape products unlawfully, they’ll face consequences for both violations.
As the police department indicates, this initiative is not just a one-time effort. They’re committed to ongoing checks throughout the year, utilizing various methods including random patrols. The message is clear: underage drinking and vaping will not be tolerated in our community.
So, if you’re thinking about trying to buy alcohol or vape products underage, think again! The Waterford Township Police are on the lookout and ready to ensure our community remains a safe space for everyone.
Keep safe, Waterford!
