Anaheim : 250 Show Support for Anti-Liquor Campaign

Concerns over teen-agers having easy access to liquor brought 250 parents, children and church leaders together last week to show support at a community meeting for an anti-liquor campaign sponsored by members of the Anaheim United Methodist Church.

“We have narrowed our concerns to the sale of alcohol to minors in east Anaheim,” the Rev. Robert Shepard of the Anaheim United Methodist Church said.

Eight owners of liquor stores have pledged to take steps aimed at halting the sale of liquor to minors. Four of the eight attended the meeting Monday at the church. During the meeting two others who were in the audience also pledged their support.

The central part of the pledge is the store owners’ promise to ask for identification from anyone who appears to be younger than 25 and to refuse to sell alcohol to adults who look as if they are buying for minors.

The 10 owners agreed as part of their pledge to attend a special class to be held by the Police Department on enforcing liquor laws. They also agreed to keep at least two signs posted in their stores stating that alcohol will not be sold to minors and that identification will be required.

Robert Wright, 42, who operates a Mini-Mart Food Store in the 800 block of South State College Boulevard, told the audience that a new, inexperienced employee had sold liquor to an undercover officer at his store. It was one of 18 bars and liquor stores in the area cited by police during a Dec. 26-27 sweep, using undercover officers, Sgt. Steve Rodig, said.

“I can’t be there all hours that the store is open,” Wright said. “I wish I could. I’d card everyone.”

Shepard said he hoped that the community meeting would make residents of the area more vigilant about the easy availability of alcohol to minors.