A statewide effort by the Florida Sheriff's Task Force to combat underage drinking during spring break is in full swing locally. The initiative is called Operation Dry Spring.
In Polk County deputies use an undercover teenager to try and buy alcohol at local businesses.
"What we do is we go in and we use one of our Explorers to make alcohol purchases at convenience stores and other stores," explained Polk Sheriff's Sergeant Vernon Noad.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office routinely conducts similar "Pop Top" operations, but Operation Dry Spring is designed to ramp up as spring break approaches.
"We get a lot of complaints in to the department about kids having parties at night with alcohol, kids coming to school with alcohol that type of thing. We're just trying to combat that," Noad said.
Indu Patel works at a convenience store in Polk County and wouldn't sell alcohol to the 16-year-old boy who tried to buy it as part of Operation Dry Spring.
"When I see the ID it said '97, so he's under age," she said.
At a Chevron gas station in Winter Haven Aardi Patel didn't make the same decision according to deputies.
They say the 44-year-old sold an alcoholic Four Loko beverage to the undercover 16-year-old. Deputies took her away in handcuffs.
Investigators aren't prepared to give a running total yet of all the arrests they've made to date as part of Operation Dry Spring. A final, statewide total will be released April 11th.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:25:47 GMT
Greg Schiano wants to clear up any confusion about the Buccaneers' quarterback situation. "We have a starting quarterback. It's Josh Freeman," Schiano said. "I'm not looking to find a new one." Schiano's
Greg Schiano wants to clear up any confusion about the Buccaneers' quarterback situation. "We have a starting quarterback. It's Josh Freeman," Schiano said. "I'm not looking to find a new one."
Monday, May 20 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:56:18 GMT
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:54:08 GMT
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday. Staff Sgt. Cheryl Westbrook was driving in the center lane on
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:40:22 GMT
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:25:15 GMT
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Only two of 13 small SUVs are getting passing grades in front-end crash tests done by an insurance industry group. Popular models such as the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Jeep Wrangler received only "marginal"
Sunday, May 19 2013 2:43 AM EDT2013-05-19 06:43:27 GMT
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Ireland Nugent, the 2-year-old girl who lost her feet and part of her legs in a lawnmower accident, was invited by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Saturday to visit Winter the dolphin.
Monday, May 20 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:56:18 GMT
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:54:08 GMT
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday. Staff Sgt. Cheryl Westbrook was driving in the center lane on
A member of MacDill Air Force's medical operations squadron died in a traffic accident, officials from the base said in a statement Monday.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:51 AM EDT2013-05-20 13:51:13 GMT
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
A bartender at a pub in Indian Rocks Beach got stabbed on Sunday evening after refusing to serve a customer who was already intoxicated, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies told us.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Monday, May 20 2013 12:40 PM EDT2013-05-20 16:40:22 GMT
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
Police identified the man who robbed an off-duty Polk County Sheriff's deputy, and got a warrant for his arrest. They consider him armed and dangerous. Winter Haven police officers said, Damarius Antwun
