ALCOHOL LICENSING BOARD BRIEFING 2013 SUMMARY

Transcription

1 ALCOHOL LICENSING BOARD BRIEFING SUMMARY Members of the East Providence City Council act as the alcohol licensing board. Since 2009, the East Providence Prevention Coalition (EPPC) and East Providence Police Department (EPPD) have been working together to educate East Providence alcohol license holders and staff about local and state laws regarding alcohol as well as to enforce them. The following are types of enforcement efforts that have taken place: Identification Compliance Checks Trained underage decoys aged enter all class A (liquor stores), B (restaurants, pubs, bars), C (saloons) and some D (social clubs) establishments and attempt to purchase alcohol. Occasionally, undercover police officers will go into the establishment with the decoys but most times they do not. After all compliance checks are completed, letters are sent out to all alcohol license holders to congratulate them if they passed, and to offer them technical assistance if they didn t. If alcohol is sold to a minor, the server is tried in Municipal Court. The alcohol license holder is tried at a Show Cause Hearing, which usually takes place during a City Council meeting. Alcohol Purchase Survey Same as Identification Compliance Checks. Only difference is that establishments are chosen by the state, and the results are complied by them. Cities/towns are ranked and given a percentage. Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) Compliance Checks EP Police Officer enters establishment, asks to speak with Manager/Owner, asks to see RBS documentation and verifies that employees selling or serving alcohol have been trained and are listed on documentation. After all compliance checks are completed, letters are sent out to all alcohol license holders to congratulate them if they passed, and to offer them technical assistance if they didn t. A wide variety of educational efforts have taken place to educate alcohol license holders and all staff members about local and state laws regarding alcohol. Some of these efforts include but are not limited to: site visits to all establishments, free signage, a free binder to store all RBS documentation in, a variety of mailings when local or state laws change, fake ID training and local responsible beverage service trainings (21 Proof Program) offered free/or at a reduced cost. THE PROBLEM Between , East Providence had RI s third highest rate of alcohol sales to minors, coming in above nearby communities like Pawtucket and Providence at 34.72%. In 2010, East Providence was ranked 12th in serving alcohol to minors, with only 11.8% of underage sales (lowest in over a decade). On February 26, 2010, an awards luncheon was held to honor all EP liquor stores for passing two continuous years of compliance checks with no violations. In 2011, our rates of sales to underage youth jumped back up to 35.3% and have continuously increased since then. During the last set of identification compliance checks, 9 local establishments served alcohol to a minor. Five out of the nine violations were liquor stores. Three out of the nine, had more than one violation in the past three years. One out of the nine, had more than two violations in the past three years. RECOMMENDATIONS Give out maximum fines and penalties to all those who sold alcohol to a minor. Fine all establishments in which it is a first offense $250. Fine the Comedy Connection, a second offense, $500 for there was no minor involved. Fine Brookfield Liquors, a second offense with a 17 year old minor being able to purchase alcohol, $1000. Fine the East Buffet, which it is a third offense in less than two years and a 17 year old minor was able to purchase alcohol, a $1,000 and revoke the liquor license. Work with the EPPC and EPPD in strengthening the guidelines for liquor violations. Consider mandating, that all violators participate in the BARS Program ( which is similar to that of a secret shopper program. ***For more detailed information, reference the alcohol licensing board briefing or call the EPPC at

2 Alcohol Licensing Board Briefing A History Of Alcohol Compliance Checks & Educational Initiatives A brief to advise all members of the Alcohol Licensing Board about alcohol educational and enforcement efforts conducted by the East Providence Prevention Coalition and East Providence Police Department Created By: Jennifer L. Wall, Executive Director April 25,

3 The following brief was designed to educate current members of the East Providence City Council who also act as the alcohol licensing board, about past educational initiatives and enforcement efforts on alcohol compliance. Educational initiatives and enforcement efforts are listed from the most recent occurances. IDENTIFICATION COMPLIANCE CHECKS USING UNDERAGE DECOYS February 1, - March 30, Partnership between EPPC and EPPD. Trained underage decoys between the ages of enter establishment and attempt to purchase alcohol. After all compliance checks are completed, letters are sent out to all establishments congratulating them if they passed, and offering them technical assistance if they failed. A total of 62 establishments were checked. The following 9 establishments DID NOT PASS the compliance check (sold alcohol to a minor): Brookfield Liquors East Providence House Riverside Liquors (2 nd Offense) of Pizza Comedy Connection Gregg s Restaurant Town Wine & Spirits (2 nd Offense) East Buffet (3 rd Offense) McGreen s Fine Wine & Spirits Warren Ave Liquor Mart EPPC Recommendations Fine all establishments in which it is a first offense $250. Fine the Comedy Connection, a second offense, $500 for there was no minor involved. Fine Brookfield Liquors, a second offense with a 17 year old minor being able to purchase alcohol, $1000. Fine the East Buffet, which it is a third offense in less than two years and a 17 year old minor was able to purchase alcohol, a $1,000 and revoke the liquor license. Work with the EPPC and EPPD in strengthening the guidelines for liquor violations. Consider mandating, that all violators participate in the BARS Program ( which is similar to that of a secret shopper program. If it is a first offense, consider a minimum of 3 months participation with 2 visits per month. If it is a second offense, consider a minimum of 3 months participation with 4 visits per month. The premise of the program is to get businesses and employees in the habit of carding anyone who looks under the age of 30. Twice each month, BARS send Checkers, aged 21-25, into client stores or restaurant locations to conduct mock purchases of beer. If the store employee asks for the customer's ID prior to quoting a price to complete the sale, the employee receives a Green Card. If not, a Red Card is given. After the visit, an report is sent to the store s management. Additionally, once the establishment signs up for the program, the EPPC or the City can be notified to provide proof of participation, and this would also serving as a monitoring tool. A nominal fee of $32 (if they sign up by phone) or $30 (if they sign up via internet) per visit is assessed to the establishment. East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 2

4 IDENTIFICATION COMPLIANCE CHECK S USING UNDERAGE DECOYS February 27, April 6, 2012 A total of 63 establishments were checked. The following 4 establishments DID NOT PASS the compliance check (sold alcohol to a minor): Clift s Liquors- $250 fine Jordan s Liquors $250 fine East Providence Lanes Restaurant La Camelia $250 fine $250 fine RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE COMPLIANCE CHECKS December 8, December 23, 2011 EP Police Officer enters establishment, asks to speak with Manager/Owner, asks to see RBS documentation and verifies that employees selling or serving alcohol have been trained and are listed on documentation. Every establishment which has an Alcohol License, EXCEPT CLASS A S (Liquor Stores) are required to be RBS certified and consequently are checked. After all compliance checks are completed, letters are sent out to all establishments congratulating them if they passed, and offering them technical assistance if they failed. The following 62 establishments were checked. The only sites not checked besides Class A s were because they were not open during all the times police officers went out to check or because they were private clubs. The following 4 establishments DID NOT PASS the RBS compliance check: Cilantro Mexican Grill Monforte s Bar East Buffet Restaurant St. Angelo s East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 3

5 ALCOHOL PURCHASE SURVEY COMPLIANCE CHECKS USING UNDERAGE DECOYS September 8, September 16, 2011 Partnership between EPPC and EPPD. Trained underage decoys between the ages of enter establishment and attempt to purchase alcohol. After all compliance checks are completed, letters are sent out to all establishments congratulating them if they passed, and offering them technical assistance if they failed. A total of 19 establishments were identified by the state and were checked. The following 8 establishments DID NOT PASS the compliance check (sold alcohol to a minor): Brookfield s Liquors East Providence Yacht Club (1 st Offense)- $250 fine $250 fine Campino Restaurant- $250 fine St. Angelo s- $250 fine Comedy Connection Vine Yard East- $250 (1 st Offense)- $250 fine East Buffet Restaurant Zoey s Pizza & Seafood- $250 (2 nd Offense)- $1,000 fine plus alcohol liquor license revocation until fine is paid and all employees are trained in state certified RBS program Each year the City is required to participate in the Alcohol Purchase Survey by the state. This Survey provides data so that cities and towns can be ranked. In 2011, the ranking is unavailable but the percentage of establishments selling alcohol to minors has jumped to approximately 35.3% from 11.8% in IDENTIFICATION COMPLIANCE CHECK S USING UNDERAGE DECOYS June 16, June 17, 2011 A total of 17 establishments were checked. The following 4 establishments DID NOT PASS the compliance check (sold alcohol to a minor): Avenue N- $250 fine El Azteca Mexican Restaurant (2 nd Offense)- $1,000 East Buffet Restaurant Riverside Kitchen (1 st Offense)- $500 fine for $250 fine they failed to show up at show cause hearing East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 4

6 ALCOHOL PURCHASE SURVEY COMPLIANCE CHECKS USING UNDERAGE DECOYS Summer of 2010 A total of 17 establishments were identified by the state and were checked. The following 2 establishments DID NOT PASS the Alcohol Purchase Survey Compliance Check: El Azteca Mexican Restaurant (1 st Offense) Hong Meas Restaurant Each year the City is required to participate in the Alcohol Purchase Survey by the state. This Survey provides data so that cities and towns can be ranked. Out of 33 cities/towns that participated, East Providence ranked 12 th in serving alcohol to minors, with only 11.8%. This was the lowest percentage in over a decade. RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE COMPLIANCE CHECKS September 14, September 24, 2010 The following 59 establishments were checked. The only sites not checked besides Class A s were because they were not open during all the times police officers went out to check or because they were private clubs. The following 4 establishments DID NOT PASS the RBS compliance check: Cilantro Mexican Grill Monforte s Bar East Buffet Restaurant St. Angelo s RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE COMPLIANCE CHECKS April 27, May 12, 2010 The following 57 establishments were checked. The only sites not checked besides Class A s were because they were not open during all the times police officers went out to check or because they were private clubs. The following 12 establishments DID NOT PASS the RBS compliance check: Agawam Hunt Cilantro Mexican Grill Riviera Inn Campino Restaurant East Buffet Restaurant Town Pizza & Family Restaurant Cattails City Grill Hong Meas Restaurant Tropical Ilhas China Gourmet Riverside Post Holding Co, Inc. Two Jerks Pub & Grill East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 5

7 AWARDS LUNCHEON FOR CLASS A ESTABLISHMENTS February 26, 2010 Awards luncheon honoring all EP liquor stores for passing two continuous years of compliance checks with no violations. IDENTIFICATION COMPLIANCE CHECKS USING UNDERAGE DECOYS November 18, March 25, 2010 A total of 62 establishments were checked. The following 3 establishments DID NOT PASS the compliance check (sold alcohol to a minor): Columbus Club of East Providence Holy Ghost Beneficial Brotherhood of RI Siam Square FAKE ID AND COMPLIANCE CHECK TRAINING October 7, 2009 Free technical assistance training in council chambers at City Hall offered to all EP establishments who have alcohol licenses. Training topics included: how to identify a Fake ID, compliance checks and additional programs to assist with enforcing policies. The following 18 establishments PARTICIPATED in this free training: Barrington Liquors East Bay Tavern Jordan s Liquors Bovi s Town Tavern EP Fraternal Order of Eagles Lees Restaurant & Lounge Brookfield Liquors EP House of Pizza Lincoln Bar & Grille Cattails City Grill Gregg s Restaurant Madeira Restaurant China Gourmet Holy Ghost Brotherhood of Charity Wine & Spirits Depot Clift s Liquors Ichigo Ichie Yatch Club East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 6

8 RESPONSIBLE BEVERAGE SERVICE COMPLIANCE CHECKS September 9, November 14, 2009 The following 58 establishments were checked. The only sites not checked besides Class A s were because they were not open during all the times police officers went out to check or because they were private clubs. The following 23 establishments DID NOT PASS the RBS compliance check: Agawam Hunt EP Athletic Club Restaurant La Camelia Boston House of Pizza EP Yacht Club Riviera Inn Bowling Academy Hong Meas Restaurant Sons of Italy Campino Restaurant Madeira Restaurant Tennis Rhode Island Cattails City Grill Mei Singh Chinese Restaurant Theophilo Braga Club China Gourmet Monforte s Bar Wannamoisett Country Club East Bay Tavern New Buffet Young China Restaurant East Buffet Restaurant Red Bridge Tavern ALCOHOL BEVERAGE INDUSTRY BREAKFAST MEETING May 27, 2009 Establishments joined the EPPC and EPPD at a breakfast meeting in room 306 at City Hall to discuss keeping townie youth safe, challenges in the industry, increased compliance checks and other creative ideas. The following 10 establishments PARTICIPATED and were rewarded with a paid advertisement in the EP Post on June 12, 2009: Barrington Liquors Ichigo Ichie Chris Gasbarro s Wine & Spirits Lincoln Bar & Grille Davenport s Restaurant Merrill Lounge EP Fraternal Order of Eagles Tropical Ilhas East Providence Lances Wine & Spirits Depot IDENTIFICATION COMPLIANCE CHECKS USING UNDERAGE DECOYS April 10, June 18, 2009 A total of 48 establishments were checked. The following 4 establishments DID NOT PASS the compliance check (sold alcohol to a minor): Lee s Restaurant & Lounge Madeira Restaurant O Dinis Restaurant Sun & Moon Korean Restaurant East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 7

9 EDUCATIONAL SITE VISITS TO ESTABLISHMENTS March 6, 2009 thru April 16, 2009 Compliance Coordinator from EPPC visited every establishment in East Providence which held an Alcohol License. Passed out free signage, a binder to keep all RBS Information, information on local and state laws, a warning about additional compliance checks, an invitation to become involved in proactive underage training prevention efforts and offered technical assistance. East Providence Prevention Coalition Page 8