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SEPTEMBER 1998

Councilman, chief trade views

about Sunnyside tavern operations

SUNNYSIDE (9-29-98)--A city councilman and the chief of police expressed different views of local tavern operations at last night's city council meeting.

 

The issue arose when four local establishments asked that their liquor licenses be renewed for another year. The licenses were approved, but not that easily.

 

Councilman Chad Werkhoven noted the high number of alcohol related incidents from some local water holes. Each incident calls for police help.

 

Werkhoven suggested cops provide incident reports with each license renewal request. That, he said, would give the Council more to go on as they decide a tavern's licensing fate. He noted that hundreds of calls have come into the PD from more hyperactive establishments.

 

"Problems need to be taken care of before (tavern license renewal requests) come to our agenda. For example the Dark Horse (tavern) did a great job (of cleaning up its act). But it would be better if that had happened before such a light show as we had," Werkhoven said.

He suggested that, "for every application we do, we should have a list of calls sent to the Liquor Control Board when it comes up for license renewal. That's not happening, now."

 

"When we have over 100 calls per address, it's a burden. Maybe we should have (taverns) get their own security guards so we don't have to deal with minor problems," Werkhoven said. He said that would free up beat patrolmen for other city problems.

 

Taxpayers who have little use for taverns may get a bit impatient with alcohol related shenanigans by fun loving drinkers.

 

On the other hand, taverns are tax-paying businesses that form family incomes. Moreover, those who patronize them have a constitutional right (pursuit of happiness) to let their hair down after a day on the farm or in the office.

 

Creating a garrison atmosphere might not be the thing to do.

 

City Manager Don Hahnfeldt noted that "this is a difficult situation we're working in." He indicated a balance has to be struck between business and people interests versus law, order and control.

 

Councilman Don Vlieger said "We need to use statistics for support, not elimination of businesses. Some calls are not alcohol related. Maybe we need a check box on (incident reports) to tell whether they are alcohol related," he said.

 

Police Chief Wallace Anderson pointed to other difficulties in putting high pressure on taverns, their owners, and patrons.

 

"It's a puzzle palace," he said.

 

He noted the PD wants licensed establishments to stay in compliance with Liquor Control Board rules and regulations. He encourages licensees to contact the PD and liquor enforcement officers.

 

"If they call us and we use it against them, they'll hesitate to call us the next time," Anderson said.

 

In addition, Anderson noted that many calls are not alcohol related. There are many domestic violence cases.

 

"To establish that drugs or ale are a factor, and to what degree of factor in each call would be a significant task if not impossible," the chief said.

 

He noted the department uses information from DUIs.

 

"If the (drunk driver) tells us he's drinking at a particular establishment, and it appears the establishment is over serving its patrons, we call the Liquor Control Board ourselves," Anderson said. He said the LCB always follows up.

 

Anderson said the department also conducts an annual sting operation, in which a minor under PD supervision attempts to buy a drink or take out a six-pack from a local business.

 

"If it works, we take action against the individual that makes the sale and notify the Liquor Control Board."

He noted that Sunnyside is one of only six Washington cities that conducts stings, but that under Gov. Locke, the Liquor Control Board is following suit.

 

Anderson also told of Sunnyside's cooperative "Shops and Cops" program. Since local cops aren't recognized as such elsewhere, towns trade cops. For example, a Sunnyside cop selling liquor at a Yakima business is in a perfect position to nail kids who try to buy.

 

In other business, the Council turned down a proposal by the Yakima County Dept. of Emergency Management to join a coalition of towns to carry out emergency operations.

 

"In my opinion, we don't need it," said Mayor Ed Prilucik. The council agreed with him. "I will let (the county) know," Prilucik said.