They're not selling alcohol to minors anymore, sting proves

Almost one year ago, about half of Round Lake's liquor establishments were cited and punished by police for selling alcohol to minors during a police-controlled sting operation.

Less than 16 months later, that number has dropped to zero.

Mayor Bill Gentes said a sting performed on March 15 netted zero citations. Every one of the 15 establishments carded the minor police informant attempting to purchase alcohol, and none went through with the purchase.

"I was shocked. Happy, but shocked," he said. "I asked the police chief if we sent a 6-year-old in to purchase the alcohol. But, in all honesty, I actually know the person they used to buy the alcohol. He looks 23 or 24."

In 2006, six of 13 establishments in Round Lake were cited for either not carding the minor before selling alcohol, or asking and looking at the underage identification before selling it anyway.

He added that this time around, in one case, the store employee not only carded the minor and turned him away, but also went into the parking lot, wrote down the license plate of the car the minor was driving and called police.

"I am extremely happy with this result," he said. "I think we are finally starting to get through to our liquor license-holders that we are serious about this."

There are 17 liquor licenses issued in the village, Gentes said. He said two of those establishments were closed during the sting in March. Four of the establishments were closed in the 2006 sting.

He said a number of the establishments cited in 2006 were repeat offenders, like the Tool Shed and Lomeli's Market/Rancho Nuevo. Another repeat offender, Four Coynes tavern, also is now operating within the law, Gentes said.

"I think they understand we are serious now," Gentes said. "It's taken a year and a half, but it's good we are getting through to them and others."

Round Lake Police Chief Cliffton Metaxa said during these sting operations, a trained, underage informant walks into places that sell alcohol and tries to purchase it. The informant is also told that if he is carded, he is to produce his underage identification card and see if the alcohol is sold anyway.

"There are no games when we do this and we leave it up to them to decide if they serve the minor or not," he said. "The purchase is observed the entire time by police officers, and when the minor leaves, the alcohol is taken from them and the store is cited."

He said he was extremely disappointed with the results of sting operations in 2006. But, he added, it looks like the liquor establishments might be turning a corner.

"Through education and persistence, it looks like the hard work is paying off," he said. "Now that we recorded 100 percent compliance, I'm expecting it to continue in the future."

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said he was happy that village didn't have any violations, but warned officials the routine checks should continue.

"I think it's important to keep doing these checks to ensure compliance," he said. "The word seems to be out that these alcohol checks are taking place."