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Question: I am a cashier in a small convenience store. It's really a mom-and-pop operation. Recently, I was approached by several youths and police officer who are part of the sting operation trying to catch merchants who sell cigarettes to minors. Entrapment
not an issue in
tobacco stingsOne of the minors gave me his ID, but the other kept playing with the pens on the counter, distracting me. When does entrapment come into play? Who polices the police? How do I go about making a complaint?
Answer: Write to Elaine Wilson at the Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Division. Her address is Room 360; 601 Kamokila Blvd.; Kapolei, HI 96701.
The Health Department has been conducting these sting operations for the past five years using youth volunteers who are "trained to tell the truth and who all carry valid IDs," said Wilson.
The normal procedure is to send only one youth into a store with one or two police officers who are undercover.
"The police officers are there to protect the youth," she said.
"The program and our procedures are very well designed," Wilson added. "The program is well-regulated, and we have worked out the procedures with the police and prosecutor's office."
There is no entrapment because it is against the law to sell any tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18. Violators are subject to a mandatory $500 fine.
Wilson warned that at least 100 stores a month will be visited and there are no plans to end the enforcement program.
"There are at least 1,800 stores selling cigarettes and we plan to visit every one of them."
Youths who want to volunteer to work in the program can contact James Harmon at the Cancer Research Center at 586-3076 extension 467.
On the question of entrapment, Maj. Daryl Perry, of the Honolulu Police Department Juvenile Services Division, said that with entrapment, police would have to make false representations, such as trying make the youths look older.
"These kids are young and look young, and there's no doubt that a reasonable person would ask them for their identification," Perry added. "But they don't and they go right ahead and sell them cigarettes and alcohol. We give the proprietor every chance not to sell minors."
But it's up to the merchant to ask for identification if there is any doubt in his mind that the person is underage. If a merchant wants to contest the fine, he can file a complaint with either the Police Commission, a citizen review board, or the Internal Affairs Division of the Police Department.
Q: Can you reprint the address where you can receive the Korean War medal?
A: To receive the Republic of Korea medal for service in the Korean War, send a copy of your discharge papers (DD-214) to HQ AFPC/DPPRA, 550C St. West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714.
Auwe
To the University of Hawaii for letting go of the rainbow logo. It was unique to the island and such a wonderful logo. It's sad to let it go and have to choose something else. It was perfect for here. -- AA
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