Police Blast Plan to Lay Off Liquor Control Agents

Law enforcement officials from across the state warned Thursday that the Wilson Administration’s plan to lay off more than two-thirds of the state’s liquor law enforcement officers will sharply curtail local police programs aimed at stopping the illegal sale of alcohol.

Yuba City Police Chief Roy Harmon told the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee that the planned closing of an Alcohol Beverage Control office in his city would have a “devastating” impact on local anti-drug and alcohol programs.

Gov. Pete Wilson recently declared a war on drugs during a statewide radio address, Harmon said, but “with these ABC cuts, he has just put his weapons down.”

San Francisco Police Officer Frank Palma, who works with ABC agents, said the cuts “will be sending the wrong message to the bad guys out there.”

The proposed cuts would trim ABC’s $23-million annual budget by $4.9 million, a 23% reduction. Under the plan, 134 of the agency’s 197 investigators will be eliminated, leaving 63 investigators statewide to police 73,000 liquor-selling establishments. The agency polices bars and liquor stores to stem the use of alcohol by minors.

Law enforcement groups have often supported Republican policies but on this issue they separated. Republicans on the committee defended the ABC budget cut, saying it was necessary to stay within the $55.7-billion state budget.

Despite the testimony by law enforcement officials, Bob Pipkin, a spokesman for the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, said the Administration believes that local agencies can fill the void left by the dismissed ABC enforcement agents. The cuts will be made, he said.

Democrats said the reduction will “decimate” the agency and make it easier for minors to buy alcohol. Even now, ABC investigators and police told committee members, 10- and 11-year-olds can buy liquor over the counter. ABC agents often work with local police arranging “sting” liquor buys by underage decoys. The agents also train and advise police on the intricacies of state liquor laws.

“The money the governor saves today will result in deaths tomorrow. There will be an increase in drunk driving. There will be an increase in teen-age alcohol abuse,” said Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar).

“This cut makes no sense to any of us,” said Assemblywoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland). Once the cuts take effect, she said, Alabama, with one-seventh the population of California, will have twice as many liquor control officers.

Police agencies whose representatives criticized the cuts included associations representing California peace officers, state police chiefs and county sheriffs. In addition, several rank-and-file police organizations opposed the budget cut, including the Assn. of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, and Assn. of State Investigators.

Beer and liquor retailers, brewers and other industry officials also opposed the move. Thomas A. Aldrich, vice president of Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., represented a coalition including beer companies and wine wholesalers as well as the California Grocers Assn., California Restaurant Assn., California Retailers Assn. and others.

“Poor enforcement is bad for business,” he said.