Nearly one-third of Tacoma businesses failed liquor compliance checks conducted on Fri., Nov. 30 as part of a joint enforcement effort by the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the Tacoma Police Department, according to a statement released yesterday.
The organizations checked 53 businesses licensed to sell alcohol on- and off- premises within Tacoma city limits, and 17 were cited for selling alcohol to minor operatives working with police and liquor enforcement officers. Three teams of officers from both organizations conducted the compliance checks.
Liquor enforcement officers are empowered to issue administrative violation notices (AVN) to businesses that fail compliance checks. Fines or temporary license suspensions can be issued depending on the severity of the infraction or the frequency of which a business has been cited. Persons who sell alcohol to individuals below 21 years of age can receive a misdemeanor criminal citation, as well.
Business in violation include McCabe’s American Music Cafe, Pegasus, Sprague St. Shell, Stop Mart 1501 MLK, Pyramid Gold, Varsity Grill, Country Boys Market, Tri 1 Foods, Connie’s Brick House, Opel, Beach Tavern, Jazzbones, Masa, Il Fiasco, La Fondita, Pops Corner, and 6th Ave. Food Mart.
Also, a fourth team including a liquor enforcement officer, a police officer, a Tacoma fire marshal and a Tacoma tax and licensing officer performed code enforcement checks on six businesses on Fri., Nov. 30. McCabe’s American Music Cafe was found to have major public safety issues and was shut down until its code violations have been fixed. McCabe’s was one of the 17 businesses that sold alcohol to a minor operative during the compliance checks.
The Board regularly works with local law enforcement including the Tacoma Police Department to conduct compliance checks of businesses, including spirits, beer, and wine restaurants, large grocery chains, neighborhood markets, taverns, wine bars and sports/entertainment facilities.
The minor operatives who work with the liquor enforcement officers are from 18 to 20 years old. They must present their true identification if asked by a clerk. However, they may attempt to be evasive if asked their age but are not asked for their I.D.
A list of businesses located within Tacoma city limits that were checked on Nov. 30 can be viewed at http://www.liq.wa.gov/releases/pr071203attachment.pdf .