Worcester Police Conduct Undercover Underage Drinking Sting

Thursday, February 07, 2019

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Undercover minors were able to purchase alcohol at two out of thirty businesses in Worcester during the Worcester Police Department’s Alcohol Enforcement sting.

The Sting

Investigators working with two underage college students, conducted an underage sting operation visiting thirty businesses-both package stores and restaurants.

The undercover minors were able to purchase alcohol at two of the thirty businesses. Investigators saw more compliance from businesses during this sting compared to past operations. These types of stings are periodically conducted throughout the year.

"Tragic health, social, and economic problems result from the use of alcohol by youth. Underage drinking is a causal factor in a host of serious problems, including homicide, suicide, traumatic injury, drowning, burns, violent and property crime, high-risk sex, fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol poisoning, and need for treatment for alcohol abuse and dependence," states a report by Needham.

The purpose of an underage sting operation is to bring awareness to business owners about the consequences of selling alcohol to underage customers and patrons.

The minors working with investigators on this sting were ages 18 and 19 years old attending local colleges.