Alcohol Over Service Project

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

In an effort to measure the rate of alcohol over service in Montgomery County, the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (DLC), Division of Licensure, Regulation and Education, partnered with the national non-profit research organization, the Responsible Retailing Forum (RRF) and local alcohol licensed businesses to conduct a comprehensive study. Forty two businesses that serve alcohol in Montgomery County, MD were visited by "pseudo-intoxicated" Mystery Shoppers who asked to be served alcohol while exhibiting distinct signs of intoxication. Two actors pretended to be intoxicated at two levels, intoxicated and extremely intoxicated. Researchers were specifically looking to see if the establishments sold alcohol to the already intoxicated individuals and what, if any, interventions were taken. Service of alcohol to an intoxicated individual is against Maryland state law. It also poses issues of public safety and liability for an establishment. This evaluation was done to measure the rate of over service and help steer department-wide regulatory and educational efforts for the future.