The Sterling Heights Police Department has partnered with CARE of Southeastern Michigan to help educate and coordinate compliance checks of businesses that sell alcohol and tobacco.
The main goal, and combined effort with the assistance of local teenagers, is to advise local businesses the reasons not to sell alcohol and tobacco to underage adults.
CARE has specially trained and educated teenagers from the area who were selected from local schools in the effort to educate business owners of the cause and effect of selling to their peers. Furthermore, with the assistance of CARE and the Police Department, the business owners will also be advised of the severe penalties of selling to underage individuals.
On March 1, 8, and 15, 2018, officers from the Special Investigation Bureau of the Sterling Heights Police Department, along with the trained teenagers, will go to numerous businesses in Sterling Heights. The first trip to these businesses will be an attempt to educate store owners and employees of the reasons not to sell to underage people. The Special Investigation Bureau will follow up at a later date to attempt sting operations on these businesses to see if they are complying with state and local liquor and tobacco laws.
Any media looking for pictures or an interview can contact Lt. Bastianelli at 586-446-2804 directly to coordinate a location and time during one of the nights of the operations.