Washington State Liquor Control Board Liquor Enforcement Officers, working with minor operatives, conducted
liquor compliance checks at 297 locations in October 2006. The statewide compliance average for the month
was 82.5 percent. The average liquor compliance rate for the previous 12 months was 84.2 percent.
This year, the Liquor Control Board has continued to increase the number of compliance checks it carries out
and has begun to focus more on identifying and checking problem licensees, said Pat Parmer, Chief of Enforcement
and Education. Over time, more frequent and targeted compliance checks will result in a higher statewide
compliance rate, Parmer said.
Compliance checks were conducted at 16 state liquor stores during October. There were no sales recorded.
During a compliance check, a Liquor Enforcement Officer accompanies a minor operative to a business.
The officer observes the operative attempt to purchase alcohol. If a sale occurs, the clerk and the business
are both cited.
If Investigative Aides are asked for their identification, they must present a driver’s license or other
picture I.D. bearing their true age. If asked whether they are 21, the can answer evasively. A sale to a
minor is a gross misdemeanor for the sale of alcohol to a underage person punishable up to 1 year in jail
and or $5,000.00 fine. A misdemeanor is 90 days or $1000.00. Store owners whose employees are caught selling
to minors also receive an Administrative Violation Notice, which can carry a fine and suspension.
