COMANCHE COUNTY
LAWTON - Periodically, the Oklahoma ABLE (Alcoholic Beverage License Enforcement) Commission conducts compliance checks to see how many businesses are selling or serving alcohol to persons under 21 years of age.
Ninety percent of businesses in Comanche County passed an ABLE Commission compliance check conducted on Friday, May 31.
According to a Wichita Mountains Prevention Network (WMPN) press release, WMPN, local law enforcement and volunteers teamed up to check compliance around Comanche County.
Volunteers who are under the state’s legal drinking age were sent into local businesses to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Of the 10 businesses that were checked, nine complied with the state law that prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons who are under 21 years of age.
“Underage drinking is a serious issue across many communities,” said Ebony Moore-Custis, Regional Prevention Coordinator for WMPN. “Our goal has always been 100% compliance for Comanche County, so we are pleased to see those results.”
FINES
Oklahoma State Statute states that any person who is found guilty of selling, furnishing or giving alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age may be fined up to $500 and be sentenced to one year in the county jail.
Second or subsequent violators may be fined up to $5,000 and sentenced to five years in a state penitentiary. The ABLE Commission shall revoke the license of any person convicted of a violation of this section.
If a retailer would like to receive additional training, they may contact WMPN, at (580) 355-5246 ext. 107 or by email at emoore-custis@wmpn.org.