Restaurants cited for selling booze to undercover buyers

WEST CHESTER >> Two Chester County restaurants have been cited for selling alcohol to underage adults and a third has been cited for a RAMP certification violation.

Sam’s Pizza Island, 445 Hannum Avenue in West Chester, and New Haven Pizza, 18 North Church Street in West Chester, were both cited for selling alcohol to people under age 21.

The Goose Creek Grill in Thornbury Township was cited for a RAMP certification violation after failing to have a boardapproved manager complete RAMP training within 180 days

of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) approval of the appointment.

RAMP certification is granted to licensed premises upon successful completion of all five required components. Completing either the owner/manager or server/seller training alone does not grant certification to the establishment or the person completing the training.

A 20-year-old undercover PLCB officer obtained alcohol on Dec. 18 at New Haven Pizza, in violation of the state’s liquor code. And a 20-year-old PLCB officer

was sold alcohol on Oct. 3 at Sam’s Pizza Island.

Bars and distributors who serve minors receive a citation of $1,250 fine if it’s the first offense. Employees and owners must also complete the state’s educational Responsible Alcohol Management Program.

Repeat offenders can lose their licenses. While the PLCB is responsible for issuing and renewing liquor licenses, enforcement of liquor laws as they relate to licensees including bars and restaurants is not the responsibility of the agency. The PLCB can refuse to renew a license, but it is not authorized to fine a licensee or revoke or suspend a liquor license for citation matters.

Instead, enforcement of the Liquor Code and PLCB regulations is done by the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (PSP BLCE). The PSP BLCE issues citations against bars and restaurants who are found to be in violation of the Liquor Code.

Under the BLCE program, minors aged 18 to 20, recruited mainly from college campuses, are trained as Underage Buyer volunteers. These volunteers enter licensed establishments, under the direct supervision of BLCE officers who are also on the licensee’s premises, and attempt to purchase alcohol, using their personal photo driver licenses with their actual age.