The Portland Police Department issued summonses to 13 businesses alleging that they sold alcohol to minors during a recent compliance check.

Portland police worked with underage volunteers from Southern Maine Community College who attempted to buy alcohol 143 times at businesses Sept. 3-17. The city on Wednesday released a list of the 13 businesses that were summonsed for selling alcohol to minors.

The businesses are:

• Amato’s – 71 India St.

•  Hannaford – 787 Riverside St.

•  Moran’s Market – 1576 Forest Ave.

•  Global – 1569 Forest Ave.

•  Cumberland Farms – 801 Washington Ave.

•  Riverton Gas – 1585 Forest Ave.

•  On the Run – 1196 Congress St.

•  Gulf – 205 Brighton Ave.

•  Clark St. Deli – 81 Clark St.

•  Friendly Discount Beverage – 1037 Forest Ave.

•  Red Rocket – 1569 Forest Ave.

•  7-Eleven – 704 Congress St.

•  La Bodega Latina – 863 Congress St.

Maine law states that store, restaurant or bar employees cannot provide alcohol to individuals under age 27 unless the employee verifies the customer is over age 21 by checking a photo ID.

Clerks can refuse to sell alcohol to anyone who declines to provide identification.

Those convicted of providing alcohol to minors face fines of $500 or higher for a first offense.

Portland Police Cmdr. Gary Rogers said the 13 summonses will be passed along to the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, which will determine whether to assess a fine.

Repeated violations can result in a business losing its license to sell alcohol.

Rogers said the compliance checks were conducted as part of a grant to the city and will continue into the fall.

“Efforts like this help with underage drinking,” Rogers said. “The compliance is better than it has been … but (violations) are still too high and we will keep at it.”

Staff writer Kevin Miller can be reached at (207) 791-6312 or at:

kmiller@pressherald.com

Twitter: KevinMillerPPH

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