Washington State Liquor Control Board Liquor Enforcement Officers, working with
minor operatives, conducted liquor compliance checks at 328 locations in September 2007.
The statewide compliance average for the month was 81.4 percent. The average liquor
compliance rate for the previous 12 months was 83 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 40 state liquor stores during September. No 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.
