North/East metro news briefs: Six Crystal stores penalized for underage liquor sales

Selling alcohol to a teenage decoy has resulted in fines and one temporary liquor license suspension at six Crystal businesses.

City Council members approved penalties at an April 19 meeting for the six businesses that sold booze to the underage decoy. They approved fines ranging from $750 to $1,500, and also suspended for one day the liquor license held by Crystal Wine and Spirits.

It was Crystal Wine and Spirits' second violation within the past two years, and city leaders cited the repeat offense as the reason for the more severe penalty. Other Crystal businesses with underage alcohol sales during the compliance check included Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle Mexican Grill, El Loro Mexican Restaurant, Liquor Liquidator and MGM Liquor Warehouse.

Police uncovered the violations during a December compliance check, when a teenager working with police officers attempted to buy alcohol using a driver's license indicating he was under 21, according to Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering.

During the council meeting, several city leaders expressed frustration over the unusual number of violations.

"We have six of these tonight, which drives me crazy," Council Member Jeff Kolb said. "In four out of the six, they checked the ID and sold anyway."

Revering said that Crystal police conduct alcohol sales checks twice a year and usually find one or two violations, if any. She said that police were monitoring the recent uptick and planning a spring compliance check.

Sand Creek Park soon will be abuzz with activity for the first time in two years, after being closed for renovations.

The overhaul includes updated ball fields, several new parking lots, restrooms, a concessions building and lights for the playing fields. The park, located at 1008 Northdale Blvd., also has two playgrounds and a skate park.

"It's our main athletic complex in town," said Ryan Gunderson, the city's recreation coordinator.

Reconstruction of the park cost $5.8 million, Gunderson said. The work was part of a broader overhaul of Coon Rapids' park system, paid for with a $17.4 million park bond approved by voters in 2013.

An event on May 26 will mark the park's reopening with root beer floats, face painting, balloon art and a free movie showing.

Blaine residents can now share information about crimes with police through a free smartphone app.

The "Blaine PD" app, rolled out earlier this month, is compatible with both Android and iPhone devices. Residents who download the app through iTunes or the Google Play Store can use it to send in tips, as well as receive updates about public safety issues in town.

The app joins an existing texting system known as tip411, where residents can text information anonymously to police. With the app, all tips will also come in anonymously, according to police.

"We believe the public is our greatest law enforcement resource," Lt. Dan Pelkey said in a statement.

Residents with questions about the app can contact the police department at 763-785-6168.

Roseville officials are warning citizens that the Internal Revenue Service doesn't call taxpayers and request immediate payment, after learning that scammers are calling city residents with those demands.

Police say that residents have been "flooded with calls" from people claiming to be with the IRS and trying to defraud them. They report dozens of complaints, including one from a woman saying that she had three calls in one day from someone claiming to be with the IRS.