Washington State Liquor Control Board Liquor Enforcement Officers, working with minor operatives,
conducted liquor compliance checks at 501 locations in November 2006. The statewide compliance
average for the month was 81.4 percent. The average liquor compliance rate for the previous 12
months was 84.1 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 9 state liquor stores during November. 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, they 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.
