One Endicott business found out of compliance during New York State Police underage drinking enforcement detail

New York – New York State Police conducted an underage drinking enforcement detail in Broome and Delaware counties on August 25, checking businesses for compliance with state alcohol laws. Twenty-one locations were visited during the operation, with most businesses passing the compliance checks.

One business, however, was found to have sold alcohol to an underage operative. Bella’s Deli Subs & Pizza, located on West Main Street in Endicott, was identified as the location where the violation occurred.

According to New York State Police, alcohol was sold to the underage operative at the business. The employee involved was issued an appearance ticket for a violation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law involving the prohibited sale of alcohol to a person younger than 21.

The enforcement detail was part of the State Police’s continuing effort to make sure businesses that sell alcohol follow New York’s requirements for checking identification and preventing sales to people who are not legally old enough to purchase alcoholic beverages.

During these operations, police use a combination of plainclothes Troopers and underage operatives. The operatives are not allowed to lie about their age or provide a false date of birth if a business employee asks for that information.

The approach allows investigators to test whether employees are following proper procedures when customers attempt to purchase alcohol. For businesses, a compliance check can quickly show whether identification is being properly requested and reviewed before an alcohol sale is completed.

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While one location was cited during the August 25 operation, the other 20 businesses checked by police were recognized for complying with the law.

The businesses found in compliance were located throughout Broome and Delaware counties. They included Old Bat Factory, Mirabito, Valero and Sunoco on West Main Street and East Front Street in Hancock, along with Mirabito, Dollar General and Deposit Country Store locations in Deposit.

Several businesses in the Windsor and Binghamton areas also passed the checks. Those included Mirabito locations on Old Route 17 and Old 17 Road in Windsor, as well as Speedway, Mirabito, Kwik Fill and SNK Fuels locations in Binghamton.

Other businesses recognized for compliance were located in Chenango Bridge, Endwell, Endicott and Vestal. They included Mirabito on Kattelville Road, Kwik Fill and Speedway on East Main Street in Endwell, EZ Food Mart on East Main Street in Endicott and Speedway on Vestal Parkway East in Vestal.

The State Police said these compliance checks are conducted at numerous locations as part of broader enforcement of New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control laws. The goal is not only to identify violations but also to encourage businesses and their employees to consistently follow the rules.

For businesses that sell alcohol, checking identification is an important part of preventing underage purchases. Employees are expected to verify a customer’s age before completing an alcohol transaction, and enforcement details give police an opportunity to see how those procedures work in real-world situations.

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The State Police commended the 20 businesses that complied with the law during the latest operation. Their compliance, officials said, reflects diligence and a commitment to preventing underage drinking.

Although the August 25 detail resulted in only one arrest and one appearance ticket, police said these operations remain an important part of public safety efforts. Underage drinking can contribute to alcohol-related incidents involving minors, making prevention and enforcement a continuing concern for law enforcement agencies.

The operation also serves as a reminder to businesses that compliance checks can occur without advance notice and that employees handling alcohol sales need to understand and follow the state’s age-verification requirements.

With 20 of the 21 businesses checked found to be in compliance, the latest detail showed that most participating establishments followed New York’s alcohol laws. At the same time, the violation at Bella’s Deli Subs & Pizza demonstrated why State Police continue to conduct these checks across the region.

New York State Police said compliance enforcement will remain part of its efforts to promote responsible alcohol sales, discourage underage drinking and reduce alcohol-related incidents involving minors.