HARRISBURG - Privatizing liquor sales in Pennsylvania would require hiring up to 75 state troopers to investigate new licensees and put more demands on municipal police forces, leaders of several law enforcement associations told a Senate committee Tuesday.
The initial hearing by the Law and Justice Committee on privatizing the state-run liquor system focused on the potential social impact on crime and alcohol abuse and treatment.
"We cannot look at expansion without examining how increased alcohol use will affect citizens of our state on social issues," said panel chairman Charles McIlhinney, R-10, Doylestown.
Several hearings
The committee plans several hearings on liquor privatization as pressure builds from Gov. Tom Corbett and others to dismantle the network of some 600 state-run liquor stores. With House approval of a liquor privatization bill in March, Mr. Corbett has come the closest of any modern governor to ending a system in effect since 1933.
Mr. Corbett issued a statement saying the House bill will enhance public safety.
"Because House Bill 790 calls for increased enforcement and enhanced penalties for those who sell to minors or those who are visibly intoxicated, Pennsylvania will be even better protected from the harms of alcohol abuse under the new system," he said.
The House-approved bill, if enacted, could lead to 1,500 new liquor licensees for the state police to investigate for a range of possible violations, including underage drinking, illegal drugs and prostitution, said Joe Kovel, president of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
He called for a $5 million earmark under any privatization law to support the hiring of 75 new troopers and a larger training class of state police cadets than Mr. Corbett has proposed.
"We cannot afford another unfunded mandate with the Pennsylvania State Police," said Mr. Kovel, adding that the number of troopers are currently below the authorized complement.
Mr. Corbett proposed spending $14.7 million in the fiscal 2013-14 state budget to pay for three cadet classes that will train a total of 290 new troopers. Another $6 million is proposed to hire 90 civilian dispatchers so troopers currently doing that work can return to patrol duties.
Law enforcement concerns must be addressed because of the link between alcohol consumption and crime rates, which will increase with more licensees, said Les Neri, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Lodge.
He said the House-approved bill will require local police departments to address an increase in alcohol-related crimes.
The House bill contains provisions to protect the public from underage drinking and alcohol-related crime, said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-28, Allegheny County, the House bill sponsor.
Training required
These provisions include requiring training in responsible alcohol management for managers and employees of private retail licensees, requiring "swipe card" technology to verify the purchaser's age and doing age-compliance checks of all licensees.
The 20,000 state-licensed bars, restaurants and beer distributors are subject to age-compliance checks by undercover officers with the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, but no similar bureau checks are done at the state stores, said Mr. Miskin.
In addition, the bill will include troopers on a rotating basis in bureau actions which are now handled by civilian employees supervised by state police officers.
Lawmakers will budget more money for the state police as they take on added responsibilities, said Mr. Miskin.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com