NEWS
Committee makes recommendations to curb alcohol use
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by Morgan Felchner
Tuesday, April 2, 2002
Madison?s Alcohol License and Review Committee released its recommendations to curb drinking problems in the downtown area.
The ALRC made recommendations to curb both nighttime and daytime drinking, including recommendations dealing with over-serving, entertainment districts, drink specials, chronic alcohol abuse, and house parties.
Among the recommendations is a request for an ordinance regulating drink specials.
“The subcommittee has concluded that the regulation of drink specials should be contemplated and ordinance language developed,” the report said.
The proposed ordinance would ban drink specials after 8 p.m.
The ordinance states the volume of alcohol may not be increased without subsequently increasing the price, bars may not offer a drink at a price different from the usual price unless it lasts for longer than a week, drinks may not be offered at a reduced price based on the quantity of drinks purchased, and bars may not sell an unlimited number of drinks for a fixed price.
The report recommended the posting of all alcohol-related violations in a “conspicuous” place in the entryway of the establishment.
House parties were also addressed in the report. ALRC proposed giving the same treatment to all those who dispense alcohol, requiring those hosting a house party to accept responsibility for the well-being of all those being served. Strict regulations are proposed regarding the delivery of alcohol to unlicensed premises with the goal of increased policing of house parties.
“The subcommittee recognizes that any action taken will not prevent underage consumption, whether at licensed establishments, house parties or elsewhere. However, alcohol delivery regulations may engender a new level of responsibility for and attention to providing alcohol for others to consume,” the report read. The report also states house parties are void of any responsible individual who can regulate the dispensing of alcohol. Bars, the report read, are different because the bartender acts as the responsible individual. The report states despite limited of resources, if those available are correctly allocated, danger can be avoided. “Utilizing public and private resources to educate and monitor those who would hold house parties, and to focus on over-serving at all venues, licensed or unlicensed, might mitigate serious threats to individual and public health and safety,” the report said. “The recommendations have a renewed interest in police department patrolling house parties,” Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said. “I just hope this isn?t the first step backwards to the police department tactic ?Operation Sting,? where the Madison police engaged the youngest looking officers to search out house parties.” The approval process for the report begins with a public hearing Thursday in 5120 Grainger Hall from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. The testimony at this hearing will be considered and the draft amended prior to the ALRC meeting in April. The final report will be available for debate at the first meeting of the Common Council in May.
