COUNTYWIDE : Weights, Measures Fines on Increase

Inspectors for the Ventura County Department of Weights and Measures have issued a record number of citations since July, officials said Monday.

The department, which regulates commerce involving items sold by weight, count or measure, has collected more than $18,000 in fines from the 58 citations issued during the 1991-92 fiscal year, manager Bill Korth said.

The department collected only about $12,000 from 48 citations during the 1990-91 fiscal year, Korth said.

Violations that have risen this year include grocery store meats that weigh less than reported on labels and retail scanning devices that fail to charge customers the lowest advertised price, Korth said.

All of the violations were uncovered during random inspections at grocery stores, department stores and other retail outlets across the county, Korth said. The department conducts two inspections a year at each business under its jurisdiction, Korth said.

Korth blamed the economic recession and inadequate employee training for the increase in violations.

“There has been a noticeable trend as we’ve gone deeper into the recession,” Korth said. “Businesses’ sales are down, and they have been trying to make cuts to stay in business.”

Announcement of the record number of violations comes during National Weights and Measures Week, which commemorates the first national weights and measures law, dating back to March 2, 1799, Korth said.

A two-sided display in the County Government Center foyer details the various ways the Department of Weights and Measures affects citizens’ lives, Korth said.