The Prince George’s County liquor board will likely approve a new rule regulating the delivery of alcohol in the county, despite objections from the County Council and local police. The liquor board made minor tweaks to the proposed rule at a meeting Tuesday. Board Chairman Franklin Jackson called the regulation an improvement to the current lack of rules for delivering beer, wine and liquor in Prince George’s County.
Safety amendments to the rule failed to address the concerns of Prince George’s County police officials, who say the now-publicized regulations could draw the interest of criminals looking to capitalize on unsuspecting delivery victims.
A final vote is scheduled for the board’s next meeting Aug. 3.
While alcohol deliveries have been made for decades by a handful of county liquor stores, Prince George’s County had never established regulations guiding the process.
A request by Potomac Gourmet, a National Harbor grocery market that wants to deliver food and alcohol to condo owners in the complex, spurred the liquor board to adopt guidelines.
“The rules are now clear. Everyone knows what has to happen when making deliveries, and everyone’s on the same playing field,” said Abigale Bruce-Watson, attorney for Potomac Gourmet.
Deliveries can be made only by people 18 or older who have completed alcohol awareness training, and delivery recipients must provide proof they are 21 years old.
Stores must apply to deliver each year and pay a $250 fee.
Alcohol deliveries are banned on the University of Maryland’s College Park campus, and the law would expand to forbid deliveries at Bowie State University as well.
County Council members had asked the board to delay their vote until next year, after the council took the issue to the Maryland General Assembly.
Jackson said the board has received the council’s letter, but declined to comment on it.
Councilwoman Mary Lehman, D-Laurel, said the board’s decision to move forward was “disappointing, and it’s premature without giving the state the opportunity to weigh in.”
“Personally, I think it’s irresponsible,” she said. “Just because you have a law doesn’t mean you have to exercise it.”
