Osage Police Dept. Tobacco Sting Nets $900 in Penalties

Source from:  Nov 27, 2007 by David Namanny, Press-News Editor 11/28/2007

All three convenience stores in Osage, including Casey's West and Kwik Star, were fined $300 each by the City of Osage for selling tobacco to minors. This after a recent sting operation by Osage Police where minors were sent into each store in an attempt to purchase cigarettes. Clerks working at the time allegedly did not ask for age identification. The individuals who sold the tobacco, as well as the stores themselves were charged. The three other retailers in town that sell tobacco products, Larsen's Food Pride, American Legion Post #278 and Ron's Lounge were found to be compliant during the sting operation. "We we surprised by the results of the operation," said Osage Police officer Luke Irvin, who conducted the check. "According to the statistics, all six tobacco retailers in Osage have been found to be compliant for at least the past five years." The $300 fines for the stores who violated the tobacco law were officially imposed at last Monday's Osage City Council meeting, where hearings on the tobacco penalties were held. Representatives from three Osage convenience stores were offered the opportunity, but did not appear at the meeting to appeal the fines. The tobacco sting (compliance check) by Osage Police is mandated by the state Iowa Alcoholic and Tobacco Division and occurs annually for each tobacco retailer. There is also a federal check each year, but it is random. Officers use minors that may have been In trouble with the law as part of their community service. According to the Osage Police Department, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (Iowa ABD) was granted authority to administer and oversee enforcement of Iowa's tobacco laws and education of Iowa's tobacco retailers through the Iowa Pledge Tobacco Education and Enforcement Program in the spring of 2000. Funding for the Iowa Pledge program is provided by a monetary settlement between the state of Iowa and a number of tobacco companies. Enforcement of Iowa's tobacco laws is accomplished through a cooperative agreement between state, county, or local law enforcement agencies. Iowa ABD contracts with agencies for compliance checks at all tobacco retail outlets located within their jurisdiction and reimbursement is made by the Iowa ABD for each check conducted. All other tobacco retailers in Mitchell County are checked by the Mitchell County Sheriff's Department. While enforcement of Iowa's tobacco laws is an important goal of the Iowa Pledge program, education of both law enforcement and the state's tobacco retailers is the primary focus of the program, said Irvin. Garbage Tag Increase In other business at Monday's council meeting, the councilmen discussed and approved the first reading of a change in garbage rates for Jendro Sanitation. As a result of an increase of $5 per ton at the Floyd-Mitchell-Chickasaw landfill east of New Haven, garbage tags fees will now increase by 10 cents. For large garbage bags stickers that used to cost $1.25, the new cost will be $1.35 starting January 1, 2008. Finally, a contract for mowing the Osage City Cemetery by L&M Mowing was terminated. The Osage Park Department will take care of the maintenance next year. Enditem