A vending machine that was dispensing beer at a Vernon apartment building without a permit has been shut down, RCMP say.
Late last month, a resident at The Royal apartment building on 37th Avenue who wished to remain anonymous voiced concern about a vending machine selling beer for $4 in the laundry room of the building. The machine also had a selection of pop and was just a few metres away from a gum ball machine for kids.
In an email to The Morning Star, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General confirmed the vending machine was not linked to any government-issued liquor licence or special event permit.
The ministry referred the matter to the Vernon RCMP, who conducted an investigation.
“We did receive a report that someone was allegedly selling alcoholic beverages out of a vending machine in a public area of a residential building in the 3000-block of 27th Ave. in Vernon,” Const. Chris Terleski, media relations officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, said in an email Monday.
“From the investigation, we were able to determine that someone had tampered with the machine and was allegedly stocking alcoholic beverages in it for a short period of time.”
Terleski said the matter had been brought to the attention of the property manager who had already taken action to shut the machine down.
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