Somerset County Memorial Day Underage Alcohol Checks

Somerset County, Maryland-

On Friday May 24th, 2019 during the beginning of the Memorial Day Weekend, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack executed a covert underage alcohol buy operation in Somerset County. During the operation two underage individuals volunteered from the Wor-Wic Community College Criminal Justice Club to assist. Troopers deployed the underage volunteers into retail establishments who possess a Somerset County Liquor License to ensure they were denying sales of alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21 years old. Both assigned volunteers, entered these establishments and attempted to purchase alcohol. In the event they were requested to furnish identification they would display their vertical Maryland Driver’s License, which clearly stated below the age of 21.

A total of 19 retail establishments were checked. Most were found to be in compliance with underage alcohol sales however, two establishments were not. The “Goose Creek” of Westover, Maryland and “Goose Creek Marina” of Westover Maryland each failed to appropriately check identification and served alcohol to the underage intern. Each of the below retail establishments that were subject to an alcohol compliance check, complied with the provisions of the law and denied the sale of alcoholic beverage to minors:

• Eden Quick Stop, Eden Maryland
• Juniors Wine Stop and Shop, Princess Anne Maryland
• Dash Inn, Westover, Maryland
• Brew Thru, Crisfield, Maryland
• Shore Stop, Crisfield, Maryland
• Crisfield Oceanic, Crisfield, Maryland
• Kash and Karry, Princess Anne, Maryland
• Washington INN, Princess Anne, Maryland
• Spikes Pub & Subs, Princess Anne, Maryland
• Goose Creek, Princess Anne, Maryland
• Peacock’s, Princess Anne, Mayland
• Becky’s Market, Princess Anne, Maryland
• Kings Creek, Princess Anne, Maryland
• Linton’s Seafood, Crisfield, Maryland
• Crab Place, Crisfield, Maryland
• Cove Market, Crisfield, Maryland
• Big Willy’s, Crisfield, Maryland

In an effort to keep minors safe before, during and after the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, Troopers will continue to conduct thorough and unannounced compliance checks to ensure that alcoholic beverages stay out of minor’s possession. The beginning of the summer season, specifically the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, Law enforcement encounters an uptick in underage consumption and purchase of alcohol. With that the State of Maryland shows an increase in alcohol related collisions, many of these collisions involve serious bodily injury or death.

The alcohol compliance checks were made possible by funding provided by an in partnership with the Somerset County Local Management Board.