During a citywide compliance check, officials cited servers from three Sammamish businesses for selling alcohol to a minor last week.
Of the 19 city businesses visited, servers at Mod Pizza located at 22833 NE Eighth St., Starbucks located at 3016 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd. SE and Hop Jacks located at 4506 Klahanie Dr. SE sold alcohol to a 19-year-old.
The Sammamish Police Department, in partner with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, and the 19-year-old woman conducted the compliance checks.
“The officers watched as the 19-year-old attempted to purchase alcohol from employees at several local businesses,” according to a press release. “The teen presented her ID to the employees which clearly showed that she was a minor.”
Sammamish officers briefly arrested the servers before citing them for furnishing alcohol to minors, which is a misdemeanor.
“The individuals who serve the alcohol are responsible for their actions,” Sammamish Police Chief Nate Elledge said. “As we enter into the graduation season it is important that our local businesses do their part to keep alcohol out of the hands of teens.”
Elledge said the department conducts these checks once or twice a year.
The state Liquor and Cannabis Board will handle issues related to the liquor licenses of the individual business owners.
A Starbucks spokesperson said the company is aware of the incident and are working with employees to “ensure proper protocol is always followed.”
The local Mod Pizza spokesperson declined to comment.
A Hop Jacks spokesperson did not respond for comment.