Washington State Liquor Control Board Liquor Enforcement Officers, working
with minor operatives, conducted liquor compliance checks at 382 locations in
May 2007. The statewide compliance average for the month was 82.7 percent. The
average liquor compliance rate for the previous 12 months was 83.7 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.
Compliance checks were conducted at 33 state liquor stores during May. 2
sales were 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 an 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.
