IMPORTANT NEWS...
Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and Partners Arrest 43
at RV City and Gridiron Get Down
October 30, 2010
Jacksonville—Last night the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco agents, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputies and University of North Florida Police Department officers arrested 43 individuals at events located at RV City and surrounding areas and during the Gridiron Get Down. The 43 individuals were arrested for the underage possession of alcoholic beverages. ABT annually partners with other law enforcement agencies for the University of Georgia vs. University of Florida Football Classic activities in Jacksonville.
“The partnership we have with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and University of North Florida Police Department enables us to protect underage youth from the dangers of alcohol consumption,” stated Secretary Charlie Liem. “Our collaborative efforts will continue today and throughout the evening as we patrol game-day tailgating parties to ensure state laws are followed.”
Underage drinking prevention is one of the division’s top priorities. In its third year, The Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) together with Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Brown-Forman Corporation, The Retail Beverage Council of the Florida Retail Federation, Premier Beverage, CBS Radio, WAXY “The Ticket” and TURF spokesman Boomer Esiason collaborated on an integrated program designed to promote safe and responsible tailgating at Florida sporting events.
Establishments that sell alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 three times within a 12-week period face up to a $1,000 fine and a seven-day license suspension. Individuals who sell or give alcohol to underage youth face a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. A new law stiffens criminal penalties for anyone caught two or more times giving alcohol to underage drinkers. Anyone who facilitates underage drinking will be subject to a first-degree misdemeanor on the second offense.
The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.
DBPR’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. DBPR licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.MyFloridaLicense.com.