TRENTON
– Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
and Division
of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC)
Director Jerry Fischer today announced
that a total of 58 underage individuals
were arrested as a result of a joint undercover
investigation between the ABC and the
Union Township Police Department on Thursday,
September 22, 2005, at the Jumbalaya Restaurant,
located at 1664 Stuyvesant Ave., Union
Township, Union County.
“We
are very concerned about underage drinking
since it produces fights and motor vehicle
accidents, and contributes to sexual assault,”
Attorney General Harvey said. “Our
goal is to help young people develop into
thoughtful and productive adults.”
Fischer noted that the recent arrests
are part of the ABC’s ongoing effort
to combat underage drinking in and around
college communities throughout New Jersey.
Last year’s effort, which ran between
October 2004 and May 2005, resulted in
146 arrests. Similar to the undercover
efforts that are conducted every summer
at the Shore, this initiative focuses
on college towns and surrounding municipalities
that have a large influx of young people
during the school year. Under the program,
ABC agents, working with local police
departments, arrested underage persons,
as well as bartenders, wait staff, store
clerks and others who aided in the purchase
of alcohol by those under the legal age,
or who may have participated in other
illegal activity.
Director Fischer acknowledged the outstanding
work of both the State ABC agents and
the Union Township Police Department Officers,
who worked cooperatively on this effort.
“Through
the extraordinary work of ABC investigators
and local law enforcement, we were able
to let young people know that if they
choose to break the law, they will have
to face serious consequences,” he
said. “Our Division will continue
to work with local and county law enforcement
officers to aggressively look for underage
drinkers, and those who attempt to buy
or serve alcohol to them.”
In addition to criminal charges that may
be filed against underage persons who
purchase alcohol, the liquor licensee
may be subject to administrative charges
from the ABC or municipal body for violation
of the ABC laws.