Operation “Last Call” nets 25-violations

Officers from the St. Augustine Police Department and the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Department are currently serving 25 Notices to Appear to individuals for violations of the Florida Beverage Statutes. These charges resulted from a six-week operation conducted by the Departments.

In Florida, a notice to appear is a procedure to bring a criminal charge against a person without taking the individual in to custody. The procedure is authorized by Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.125.

During the six week operation, code named ”Last Call” undercover detectives and investigative aides went into several local businesses that served alcohol. While present at the establishments the officers and the aides witnessed violation of multiple laws. The violators were identified and charged with these violations of Florida Statute 562.11specifically Selling, giving, or serving alcoholic beverages to persons under age 21. This is a second degree misdemeanor in the State of Florida.

Employees from 11 different establishments have been issued Notices to Appear; Five employees from Local Hero’s, 11 Spanish St. One employee from the American Legion, 1 Anderson Circle. Two employees from Scarlett O’Hara’s, 70 Hypolita St. Four employees from the St. George Tavern, 116 St. George St. Two employees from Stogies, 36 Charlotte St. One employee from the Tini Martini, 24 Avenida Menendez. Two employees from JP Henley’s, 10 Marine St. Three employees from the “No Name Bar”. One employee from Meehan’s Irish Pub, 20 Avenida Menendez. Three employees from the White Lion, 20 Cuna St. One employee, Tradewinds, 124 Charlotte St.

This continues to be a joint effort with the St. Augustine Police Department, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Augustine Beach Police Department to curb Underage Drinking, Driving While Intoxicated and other related incidents to alcohol consumption. Also joining in with this collective effort is the State of Florida Alcohol, Beverage and Tobacco Agency. They will be reviewing all of the paperwork submitted by the officers to make sure the appropriate administrative sanctions are filed.

As the holidays approach citizens can expect to see more officers out during traffic enforcement of DUI and Seatbelt awareness campaigns. These campaigns are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Florida Department to Transportation.