Employees at four businesses in Sammamish were arrested for serving alcohol to a minor in a routine examination by the Washington State Liquor Control Board on July 21.
The check encompassed 19 businesses in Sammamish and Klahanie that are licensed to sell liquor. Four businesses were caught selling alcohol to a minor: the Safeway at 630 228th Ave. NE; the Metropolitan Market at 301 228th Ave. NE; the Shell station at 2936 228th Ave. SE; and the Rite Aid at 3066 Issaquah-Pine Lake Road.
Officer John Courtney of the Liquor Board conducted the check in conjunction with Sammamish Police Deputy Kyle Rip.
Liquor Board Enforcement Captain Tom Dixon explained that the Board routinely hires people under 21 to attempt to purchase alcohol at stores, restaurants and bars, as a way to test if employees of the establishments are checking identification.
“They should look like they’re 21 years of age,” Dixon explained of the Board employees. According to state law, ID should be checked if a person looks under 30. The Board specifically does not hire anyone who looks significantly older, such as men with full beards.
During the Sammamish investigation, Liquor Board employee Kohta Hansen, 19, entered each business and attempted to buy alcohol at each location. When asked to show identification, Hansen handed over his driver’s license, which shows his birthday as April 20, 1998.
At each location, employees scanned Hansen’s card and typed information into their computers before handing the card back and allowing the purchase to go through. Hansen bought a 25-oz. can of Bud Light beer at Safeway, Shell and Rite Aid. At the Metropolitan Market, Hansen purchased a 21.4-oz. Asahi bottle of beer.
The employees who completed the transactions were all arrested on charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Dixon explained that at a restaurant, the penalty for a first-time violation would be a five-day suspension of the server’s MAST (Mandatory Alcohol Server Training) permit, the permit that everyone who serves or mixes alcohol for on-site consumption in Washington must have. However, at a store, this permit is not required.
“Permits are only required at places where consumption is taking place on the premises,” Dixon said. Therefore, if the employee has no permit that can be suspended, “the only remedy is to refer them to the King County prosecutor.”
“The Board takes a very serious stance on safety violations,” Dixon said.
Businesses cited for serving and selling alcohol to minors can be given a five-day alcohol serving/selling suspension or pay $500 in lieu of this. To avoid these penalties, a business can also request a settlement conference, which is like a mitigation hearing for a speeding ticket, Dixon explained. Some of the Sammamish businesses have requested this option.
Dixon said that underage purchase and consumption of alcoholic drinks is not a problem specific to Sammamish.
“Most communities have issues with access to alcohol,” he said.
Safeway declined to comment on the citation. Management at Metropolitan Market, Shell and Rite Aid could not be reached for comment.
The Liquor Board is currently seeking enforcement officers for different areas around the state, including Sammamish. For more information, visit www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington?department%5B0%5D=Liquor%20and%20Cannabis%20Board&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&jobId=1815044&jobName=lcb-enforcement-officer-1-in-training&tab=1.
