Department of Liquor Control's Report on Alcohol Compliance Checks Shows Increase in Business Compliance

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 8, 2010

According to Montgomery County’s Department of Liquor Control (DLC) recently released report called “Alcohol Compliance Check Program for FY 2010,” underage alcohol compliance rates by local licensed establishments rose from 71 percent to 80 percent in the past year.

The report shows that the Compliance Team -- comprised of DLC’s Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Specialists and Montgomery County’s Police and Sheriff’s departments -- are succeeding in efforts to reduce the number of establishments that are illegally selling alcohol to minors under age 21.

During an under-21 compliance check, youth – no older than 19 and following a strict protocol – are sent into licensed establishments and/or stores to attempt to purchase alcohol with their underage identification. The individuals use their own identification and are not allowed to have facial hair, wear excessive makeup or talk on the phone while making a purchase.

“Many of those who failed the compliance checks, asked for an ID but did not take the time to properly read the birth date on the card,” said DLC Chief of Licensure, Regulation and Education Kathie Durbin. “Some business employees with ID verification tools overrode the tools without confirming the patron’s age. The tools are only as good as the person using them.”

To see the report online, go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dlc and click on Licensure, Regulation and Education, then go to the Regulation section.

For more information, call the DLC Outreach Office at 240-777-1904.

Release ID: 10-371
Media Contact: Kathie Durbin 240-777-1917