OCEAN VIEW, NJ–The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) partnered in a multi-agency crackdown on underage drinkers in Cape May County during the Memorial Day Weekend that resulted in 11 arrests, including two for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
On May 25, ABC and New Jersey State Police detectives conducted an underage drinking enforcement detail at Gleeson’s Liquors in Dennis Township. The two agencies monitored the liquor store from the parking lot and watched as six individuals between the ages of 18-20 walked into Gleeson’s and purchased or stole alcohol.
Included in the roundup: Robert Goggin, 20, of Newton Square, was arrested and charged for shoplifting $102 of alcoholic beverages.
During this detail, New Jersey State Police arrested a 23-year-old and 18-year-old for driving erratically into the parking lot and parking their vehicles in a handicap-designated parking spot.
The following day, the ABC teamed up with the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office to work undercover at various establishments in North Wildwood that netted three arrests for consuming alcohol underage.
“Working in conjunction with other agencies is ideal because they add local and institutional intelligence that go a long way towards effective enforcement,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre.
Underage drinking and purchasing alcohol underage are disorderly persons offenses, carrying potential fines of at least $500 and a six-month driver’s license suspension. The liquor licenses of establishments involved in last week’s enforcement efforts will be reviewed by ABC for possible administrative charges. Those charges could result in the suspension of the bar’s alcoholic beverage license.
“Cracking down on underage drinking is without a doubt one of our top priorities at the ABC,” said Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control Director Michael Halfacre. “Our enforcement efforts in Cape May County on the busy Memorial Day Weekend period and our previous arrests in Atlantic and Bergen prove our focus on enforcement is there. We plan to make ourselves a visible presence on the shore this summer. ”
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General released the above press release regarding its DWI enforcement push over the Memorial Day weekend.
Editor's note: Any arrests or charges mentioned do not indicate guilt or conviction.
