WESTFIELD – The License Commission has slated a violation hearing tonight for six establishments cited for serving alcohol to persons under the age of 21 during a police sting operation.
The Community Policing Bureau of the Westfield Police Department conducted the sting operation on Friday, Aug. 16, sending underage youths into bars, restaurants and package stores to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Cited in the sting were three package stores, two restaurants and one pub. The License Commission will hear details of the sting involving Ryan’s Package Store on Franklin Street, Pop the Cork on East Silver Street and Mr. Phipps on North Elm Street; the two restaurants are Pasquale’s and Clemenza’s both on Elm Street and the sixth business is the Whip City Brew on North Elm Street.
The License Commission has established guidelines used by the Westfield Police Department for sting operations during which the underage person enters the establishment without any identification and attempts to make a purchase.
If the underage person is asked for an identification, he or she is instructed to state he or she does not have on in his or her possession. If asked to state their age, the youth is required to respond truthfully.
The Commission has established the sting and violation protocals based upon state law, Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) and License Commission policies.
