MASON CITY – Two people face citations after Mason City police say they sold booze to an underage patron.
On Saturday, January 11th, 2020, the Mason City Police Department conducted alcohol compliance checks at local businesses that hold retail sales or on premises licenses issued by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.
A total of eight businesses were checked for compliance. Six businesses were found to be in compliance. Those businesses include the following:
* Hy-Vee Gas, 1503 4th Street SF
* Yesway, 1303 4th Street SW
* Hy-Vee Drugstore, 847 Street SW
* Casey’s, 2701 19th Street SW
* Northside Liquor, 1303 N. Federal Ave.
* Liquor Tobacco and Grocery, 18 N. Monroe Ave
Two businesses sold alcohol to a person under age 21. Employees were cited for the violation and given a court date. The scheduled fine, surcharge, and court cost for selling alcohol to a minor is $735.00. Those cited include the following:
* Kylie Frazier, age 19, at Yesway, 1920 S. Federal Ave.
* Michelle Dunn, age 53, at Kwik Star, 1520 S. Federal Ave.
The Mason City Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind liquor retailers to always verify that customers are of the legal age before selling them alcohol. When in doubt, request identification to verify date of birth of the purchaser. Refuse to sell to those without identification or those who may present questionable identification.
I used to be in the retail business. They don’t try to trick anyone. They don’t use fake ID’s. They don’t use kids who look of age. In fact, all you have to do is ask them if they are 21. They aren’t allowed to lie to you.
I feel sorry for the employees who got those huge fines. But it could’ve been easily avoided.
The most accurate and informative post I’ve read so far. Thank you for keeping it on topic.
I worked as a cashier and experienced the sting operation. I passed. It was really easy. The decoys looked too young to buy cigarettes. I checked the ID as I was required to by LAW. I said I can’t let you buy cigarettes and they left. It might have been the easiest part of the job that night. I didn’t even have to do any math, the ID was scanned and the register did the math. No tricks. If you can’t not sell alcohol and tobacco to minors, you probably shouldn’t have a job handling money for a business. Forget the police sting, Please do not sell to minors. Drunk minors are stupid and annoying.
It is part of EVERY employee’s job who sells liquor to ID EVERY customer, period. Doing routine checks by police to make sure businesses are in compliance is part of their job. It’s not like they randomly check 100 times a year. They usually run 2-3 checks a year. If it was “all about the money” the police would be doing these daily/weekly. Don’t blame the police for employees not doing their job. The comment that “don’t get paid enough to check” well if the job is selling liquor it is part of your wage to ID, don’t take the job if you’re unwilling to do the job right.
first of all, its not the police, the state mandates the checks are done, second its your tax dollars that do it, the officers are on O.T that do it and the state reimburses the city for expenses. Don’t like it tell your senators and congressmen. guess you would rather have some young boy dating your daughter and getting her drunk and more??? where’d he get the alcohol?? bought it at the local convience store?? or gets in a wreck and kills your daughter cause a bottle or two of booze gets him under the influence?? Don’t say it wont or cant happen until you been there!!!!!
I used to work at Regal Liquors. They pulled these checks all the time. Always seemed like trying to pick on some poor sucker trying to make a buck . Those jobs don’t pay good enough to start with. Then Dick Tracey after you. Not something I’d ever do again.
If selling liquor, part of your job IS to ID. You knew your wage when hired and that it’s expected to ID customers so don’t take the job if you’re unwilling to do the job you’re paid to do.
Possibly why he is not working there anymore
Maybe Hy Vee employees have learned their lesson, but Kwik Star, not even open a month. More training on the way.
It sure looks like Quik Star is the least of their problem. New employee made a mistake. The others have been around long enough to know better
Must have forgot all the training they just had.
Yup you know it all
Please keep your comments on-topic and interesting. Do not attack others.
our police have nothing better to do than trap people into selling beer to somebody that looks 35?
Do you think its about the dollars? Very sad.w
It’s all the mason city cops know how to do. By the way, where is Jodi husintruit?
Lol they didn’t “trap” any employee into not doing their job. The employee chose not to ID the customer all on their own. If it was about all the money, the police would be doing checks 100 times a year, not the state mandated amount.
Well…Allen?
Well?? Now thats a deep subject! Allen is just a shallow puddle.
You must feel really tough while harassing a man just because he has a opinion while you are posting under “Anonymous”
Please keep your comments on-topic and interesting. Do not attack others.
Please keep your comments on-topic and interesting. Do not attack others.