For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 13, 2018 

Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control Increases Enforcement Efforts During Holiday Season

Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (DLC) alcohol inspectors will concentrate efforts on alcohol law compliance at the County’s nearly 1,100 licensed alcohol establishments this holiday season to deter underage alcohol access and overservice though compliance checks.

“Compliance checks are routinely run, but we are kicking it up a notch this holiday season to make sure youth don’t have access to alcohol,” said Ron Price, DLC compliance manager. “We also will be looking for blatant overservice issues that often lead to tragedy. We encourage anyone celebrating with alcohol to plan a safe ride home before drinking.”

During compliance checks, a youth working with inspectors and police attempts to use his or her identification to purchase alcohol at a licensed establishment to determine if the establishment will sell to someone under age 21. Alcohol inspectors and police conduct compliance checks jointly, delivering administrative violations against the liquor license and/or criminal citations to the individual seller or server if alcohol is sold to someone underage.

Reducing the availability of alcohol to youth can help reduce crime and protect youth from the dangers of alcohol. Research shows the earlier young people start drinking, the more likely they will become alcohol dependent later in life.

“We offer a free Alcohol Law Education and Regulatory Training (ALERT) to businesses and their staff twice monthly,” said Kathie Durbin, chief of licensing, regulation and education at the DLC. “We hope they are using the information and tools we provide, cutting off service, checking IDs and matching the picture on the ID to the prospective buyer.”

Montgomery County police are coordinating a Holiday Task Force effort through Jan. 6. The enforcement program focuses on bringing together officers from multiple jurisdictions in a coordinated effort to enforce impaired driving laws throughout the County.

Additionally, SoberRide, a program offering free Lyft rides during the holiday season, will be in full swing. The program launches Dec. 14, to provide service from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. through Jan. 1. Visit www.soberride.com for more information.           

For more information about the DLC, visit its website.

#   #   # 

Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-777-1904