Dedicated to Improving the Standards & Practices of Liquor Law Enforcement |
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November 17, 2021 Vol. 42 |
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If you have Alcohol Law Enforcement news to share please send it to Carrie Christofes, Executive Director
carrie.christofes@nllea.org
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On Tuesday November 16, 2021 at the Annual Business Meeting of the NLLEA, Lieutenant Jim Diana, State of Delaware, Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (D.A.T.E.) was voted in for the Sergeant-at-Arms position on the NLLEA Executive Board. President John Yeoman handed over the presidency to Vice President Todd Merlina. The 2021-22 NLLEA Board is now represented by the following members: Todd Merlina, President (PA), Tom Kirby, Vice President (VA), Israel Morrow, Secretary/Treasurer (NC), Jim Diana, Sgt.-at-Arms (DE) and John Yeomans, Immediate Past President (DE).
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ALEA’s Honor Guard will kick off the opening ceremonies with a presentation of colors, followed by opening remarks from NLLEA President John Yeomans, ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor and ABC’s Manager of Government Relations and Communications Dean Argo.
“We are honored to host this year’s National Liquor Law Enforcement Association Conference and welcome law enforcement officers from around the nation to the Capitol City,” Secretary Taylor said. “NLLEA’s annual conference is an excellent opportunity for alcohol law enforcement officers as well as agencies to gather and share new methods to address evolving enforcement challenges and growing responsibilities, while providing best practice recommendations and guidance on alcohol policies and procedures.”
NLLEA Board President John Yeomans said, “It is an exciting time for our association as we continue to adapt to policy and legislative changes around the country. The pandemic has created unprecedented shifts and changes in the alcohol marketplace adding additional challenges for alcohol law enforcement and our organization is committed to bringing our membership the most relevant and up-to-date information available through this conference to ensure that NLLEA members are on the cutting edge.”
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NC ALE Awarded Agency of the Year by National Association
Today, the Department of Public Safety, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division was awarded the Agency of the Year by the National Liquor Law Enforcement Association at their Annual Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. Over 30 local, state, federal and campus law enforcement agencies were represented at the Conference. NC ALE was one of a few agencies who were recognized for the hard work and dedication to the field of alcohol law enforcement. The NLLEA Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency of the Year Award is given to an agency that has demonstrated agency effectiveness through the implementation of innovative programs, community and media recognition, and model training programs, practices and strategies.
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PACE-O-MATIC Releases Statement Regarding Important Announcement on Virginia Market
Pace-O-Matic of Virginia (POM of VA) released the following statement regarding the status of illegal games in the Virginia market and the legality of Pre-Reveal/NextPlay software currently invading the Commonwealth. “The Virginia legislature’s decision to ban the regulated skill game industry has resulted in an influx of illegal gaming terminals that are not paying taxes. Skill games were critical in helping restaurants and small businesses survive and thrive in the Commonwealth and generated over $130 million in tax revenue. Whether it is illegal gaming equipment in strip malls, VGTs in bars and restaurants disguised as charitable games, or the Pre-Reveal/NextPlay software invading the market… the influx is real and expansive. POM of VA finds the situation untenable and urges legislators to strongly consider righting a wrong and allow the play of skill games to help small businesses in the Commonwealth.
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WA-Celebrate a 21st birthday with a vertical I.D.
If you are 21 or older, a vertical I.D. is valid in the state, but it's entirely up to the business whether they accept or deny it. "They might lose some customers over it, but I mean, they can lose their license," said a Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board enforcement captain, Tom Dixon. Most businesses deny vertical I.D.s, even on birthdays, because they want to ensure they don't break the law and serve alcohol to a minor. But you must be 21 to even apply for a horizontal license. You can request a horizontal I.D. on your 21st birthday, but of course, it takes a few weeks for it to come in the mail.
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‘This is essentially eliminating drunk driving’: Impaired driving prevention measure passed in Infrastructure Bill
After months of political gridlock, Monday President Biden signed into law the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Bill. The package pours billions into roads, bridges, public transit, the power grid, clean water, and broadband internet earning the support of lawmakers, governors, and mayors in both parties. Also included in that bill is a section for “Advanced Impaired Driving Technology” which initiates a rulemaking by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to set the new safety standard. When fully implemented on all new cars, more than 9,400 lives could be saved annually, according to a 2020 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The provision is one the organization Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) believes is the most significant lifesaving measure in its 41-year history. “We’ve changed the way that cars are made how many people get to say that,” said MADD national president Alex Otte. At just 25 years old, Otte is the youngest national president in the organization’s history, the first to not be a parent, and the first president to be injured in a drunk driving accident rather than lose someone.
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Skill Games Save Small Biz Says PA Senator; Casinos and Others Rip The Untaxed, Unregulated Machines
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Bill would lower drinking age to 18 in South Carolina
A South Carolina State Representative has pre-filed a bill to lower the drinking age to 18. WACH reports that State Representative Todd Rutherford pre-filed the bill, believing that when someone turns 18-years-old they take on many responsibilities, being able to legally drink alcohol should be one of them. Rep. Rutherford went on to say, "This is a personal freedom issue. If you are old enough to fight for our country, if you're old enough to vote, if you're old enough to sign on for thousands of dollars of student loans for a college education, then you are old enough to drink." Rep. Rutherford also explained why now is the time to change the legal drinking age saying, "...Between the existing state budget surplus, all the money that Joe Biden has sent us, and the economic growth that will come as a result, we can afford to do this. Rather than criminalize adults for doing something that is otherwise legal, we can show the rest the of the country that there is a better way."
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Job Opportunities:
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) is accepting applications for permanent LCB Enforcement Officer 2's (LEO2). The Enforcement and Education Division is headquartered in Olympia and has four regional offices in Tacoma, Federal Way, Mount Vernon, and Spokane. These positions begin as entry level LCB Enforcement Officer 1 and must successfully complete the 720 hour Basic Law Enforcement training and the Field Training Officer program. Upon completion of the programs, LEO1's will be promoted to the LCB Enforcement Officer 2 (LEO2) level. The Enforcement Division works with approximately 13,000 liquor and cannabis licensees and their employees by providing education and counseling on liquor & cannabis licensing laws and regulations. LCB Enforcement Officers inspect premises, investigate complaints, and conduct compliance checks. At times they may take administrative and criminal action against licensees, employees, and the public who violate state liquor, tobacco and cannabis laws. The WSLCB Enforcement and Education division is committed to integrity, honesty, dedication, a commitment to serve, and public trust. Officers are responsible for enforcing state liquor, cannabis, tobacco and vapor product laws and regulation to promote public safety, while providing education to licensees, communities, and local law enforcement agencies. WSLCB Law Enforcement Officers carry out their duties with the highest standards of personal and professional ethics. To learn more about the Enforcement and Education division, click here or follow us on our WSLCB YouTube Channel.
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2020-21 NLLEA Board Members:
John Yeomans, President - DE - john.yeomans@delaware.gov
Todd Merlina, Vice President - PA - tmerlina@pa.gov
Thomas Kirby, Secretary/Treasurer - VA - thomas.kirby@virginiaabc.com
Israel Morrow, Sergeant at Arms - NC - israel.morrow@ncdps.gov
Greg Croft, Immediate Past President - OH - gacroft@dps.ohio.gov
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