Cops In Shops

The Amherst Police Department will be conducting an increased enforcement initiative to deter underage and excessive “binge” drinking. Working in partnership with several retail liquor stores in town, Amherst Police Officers will be working in the liquor stores - posing as store employees or customers - in order to identify underage persons attempting to purchase alcohol and also of-age persons who are purchasing alcohol for someone else who is underage.

The mobilization, titled “Cops in Shops,” is being conducted in September, 2009. This program has been very successful in past years as Amherst Police Officers have confiscated and criminally charged dozens of individuals both for attempting to purchase alcohol with a fake ID or for attempting to procure alcohol for persons under the age of 21. In 2008-2009, the Amherst Police criminally charged 413 persons for being minors in possession of alcohol, 246 for violating the town by-law banning open containers of alcohol on public property, and 192 for operating under the influence.

In addition to the enforcement aspect of Cops in Shops, there is an educational awareness component to this program. With the start of the new academic year, Officers will share their expertise with students and educate them on the effects and the behavior changes associated with alcohol abuse. Officers will also educate the students on the town by-law prohibiting open containers of alcohol on public property, keg permits, and operating under the influence.

For questions regarding this enforcement initiative please contact Sergeant Jerry Millar at 413-259-3000 or email him at millarj@amherstma.gov.

This initiative is funded by the Executive Office of Public Safety Community Policing Grant Funds.