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Three places caught selling booze to teens photo by Bob Pennell Waitress Annie Byerly checks the identification of a customer at Joe's Bar and Grill on Roberts Rd. in Medford Tuesday. One bar out of four refuses sale By Jill Briskey Two 18-year-old kids went out Saturday night, hitting up four bars, one convenience store and a dance club in hopes of buying some beer. And they got away with it three times. In all three cases, the teens were asked to produce some identification. Compliance improves under program The Medford Police Department first kicked off the Minor Compliance Program in 1999. Officer Richard Renfro, who created the operation, said he realized minors were coming into contact with liquor in three ways � stealing it, paying someone to buy it or purchasing it themselves. Now working in partnership with the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Renfro initiates the program at least once a month. Renfro uses trained participants from the Medford Police Department�s Explorer program for young people hoping for a career in law enforcement. In 1999, the program met with enormous success, he added. On Jan. 18, 1999, eight businesses were cited for furnishing alcohol to minors while three refused to sell. On Feb. 24, 1999, four businesses were cited while five refused to sell. On May 26, 1999, one citation was issued while seven businesses refused the sale. On June 28, 1999, one citation was issued while seven businesses refused to sell. Every time, Tom Venaboes, of Central Point, and Dyan Rodreick, of Medford, handed over their driver�s licenses, which showed that both of them were born in 1982. Maybe it was bad math skills on the part of the sellers, or perhaps it was just plain luck for Rodreick and Venaboe. Whatever the reasons, the two were able to purchase four bottles of beer along with a six-pack from Habaneros, The Branding Iron and Thrifty Nifty Market. Although the two bartenders and one store clerk face citations, sanctions and possible termination by their employers for their actions, Venaboes and Rodreick aren�t in any trouble. Both teens are participants in the Minor Compliance Program, which partners the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with the Medford Police Department. Acting as decoys, the teens enter establishments selected by OLCC and attempt to purchase liquor, said Medford police officer Richard Renfro, who sits in the background to witness the sale. The teens must follow specific rules. The two can�t dress up or try to look older in any way. In fact, Renfro said, the younger they look, the better. They aren�t allowed to lie about their age and must show their true identification if asked. "Our goal is not to make sales," explained Renfro, who helped create the program after parents reported seeing students drinking alcohol around schools. "I would like to have a night where we didn�t make sales. Unfortunately, we always do." Working together since 1999, both agencies say the program has one major purpose � to stop underage kids from drinking. "I think we share the common threads, the same goal," Medford OLCC Inspector Rich Miller said. "Drinking and driving is the leading killer of our kids." The Jackson County Juvenile Department reported handling 387 alcohol-related cases in 1999. According to the Jackson County Medical Examiners Office, alcohol was a contributing factor in 12 area fatalities, and one accident was caused by a drunken teen. Before the Medford Police Department initiates a program, various businesses are sent postcards stating that the operation may take place in their area soon, Miller said. Businesses also are offered free alcohol awareness training prior to the event, he added. "There�s no trickery to the program," Miller said. "It�s to create an awareness and offer education." Violators usually receive a $350 citation by police for furnishing alcohol to minors and must appear in court. OLCC will then look at the information, Miller said, and decide what sanctions may apply against the establishment. A first-time offense could result in a $1,650 fine or the possible suspension of its liquor license. Repeat offenders could face fines of up to $4,950 in addition to license suspensions, he added. Many of these cases result in the termination of the person who sold the liquor, Renfro said. After the sales were made Saturday, Renfro spoke to the clerk and bartenders about their actions. All said the two appeared to look under the age of 26 � which means sellers are required by OLCC to check identification. "Doesn�t that make them 21?" one bartender asked when Renfro reaffirmed the two had been born in 1982. All of the businesses who sold had signs posted that they cannot sell alcohol to anyone born before today�s date in 1979. And every one of the offenders had a problem with the math. Yet there�s often more to it than simple miscalculation. Miller said several bartenders and clerks mistakenly believe that an underage kid wouldn�t flash a driver�s license unless he was over 21. Venaboes and Rodreick both feel the program yields long-term positive results, although the two feel bad about the fate of those who sold them the beer. "I felt crappy when we walked by afterwards," Venaboes said. "But I�m not the one breaking the law." "Me too," Rodreick said, then added, "It�s disappointing that so many teenagers can get alcohol. It�s too easy. Look what we did tonight." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.