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West Palm Beach police cite multiple businesses for selling alcohol to minors; fines imposed
Summary
Police alcohol compliance operations using underage confidential sources led to multiple findings of violations at downtown and Tamarind Avenue businesses. Magistrate issued one-time fines of $250–$500 depending on the offense count, typically payable within 30–60 days.
City police presented the results of coordinated alcohol compliance operations in which confidential underage sources attempted purchases at point-of-sale vendors. Officers said several establishments sold alcohol without checking valid identification.
Sergeant Timothy Cohen and Sergeant Colvin testified that confidential sources under age 21 were able to buy alcoholic beverages at a number of businesses across West Palm Beach. The cases included Tina's Markets (509 25th Street), which the city described as the fourth business failure and sought a one-time $500 fine; the clerk Christopher Ouellette apologized and the magistrate ordered the $500 fine payable in 60 days.
Other businesses in the downtown and Tamarind Avenue corridors were cited for first, second and third offenses. The magistrate assessed fines based on offense counts: first offenses typically drew $250; repeat offenses drew $500. Several business representatives said they had terminated staff involved, ordered ID scanners, or instituted monthly training to prevent recurrence. Example outcomes recorded in the hearing transcript include:
- PD24030410 (Myers Lounge, 329 Clematis Street): First-offense finding; $250 fine payable in 30 days.
- PD24030411 (Myers Lounge repeat case): Second-offense finding; $500 fine.
- PD24040412 / PD24040413 (Quick Stop and associated cases at 1909 North Tamarind): second and third-offense findings; $500 fines assessed and payable within 30 days; managers said they would implement staff training and new point-of-sale procedures.
Sergeant Colvin summarized the operations and evidence; magistrate notes record the dates of undercover buys and the number of prior failures for each business. Representatives for multiple cited businesses acknowledged the violations and described corrective steps. The magistrate ordered fines and allowed standard time windows to pay; in one case the court gave the clerk 60 days to pay because of personal hardship, while preserving that the fine is assessed to the business.
