Othello cracks down on underage drinking

Several arrested since program inception

OTHELLO — The Othello Police Department is partnering with businesses to stop underage drinking and arrested several related to the crime.

The program is in the enforcement phase, Othello Police Chief Steve Dunnagan said. The program is to curb drinking among Othello School District students.

The department conducted alcohol sales compliance checks with 10 Othello businesses on Oct. 27. The police department and the Washington State Liquor Control Board devised a plan to have a minor enter the stores to attempt to purchase alcohol, Dunnagan said. Eight of the 10 businesses refused to sell alcohol to the minor.

Rodney's Conoco Gas & Groceries and Pik-A-Pop No. 12 reportedly failed to comply and sold alcohol to the minor, Dunnagan said.

"Providing alcohol to an underage person is a gross misdemeanor punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 and up to a maximum of one year in jail," he said.

The two store clerks who sold alcohol to the minor were issued citations and referred to the liquor control board, he added.

As the department was checking on business compliance with the law, they came upon an underage man attempting to purchase alcohol at Bob's Korner.

The 20-year-old Othello man was arrested for a minor attempting to purchase alcohol and for being a minor in possession/consumption of alcohol.

Bob's Korner was one of eight businesses complying with the law.

The department also conducted a patrol to locate those driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police arrested a 15-year-old for driving under the influence of alcohol, minor in possession/consumption of alcohol and for not having a valid operator's license. A 19-year-old male, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was arrested for minor in possession/consumption of alcohol. A third passenger, a 22-year-old Othello man was arrested for possession of cocaine.

Dunnagan urges citizens to keep alcohol from underage people.

"We have learned that the community and our youth are safer and healthier when they don't start using alcohol until after age 21," he said.

The program is funded through Reducing Underage Drinking (RUAD), a federal grant.