Liquor Privatization Saves Lives? Part II

Public safety improved in Washington state after liquor store privatization, we told you back in July. As further data comes in, the results continue to impress: Most state alcohol-related arrests continue to decline. DUI collisions and charges for “minor in possession” both improved following privatization.

But what about preventing sales to minors? Pennsylvanians have heard the UFCW claim they can do it better than the private sector, though state police don’t peform sting operations in PLCB stores. Here’s how they’ve fared in Washington: 

Judging from the first year of data, the private sector has stepped up to this challenge. According to the WSLCB’s “Compliance Rates for Retailers Since 2012,” those private sector stores with at least 10,000 square feet (as required by Initiative 1183) or former state contract stores have averaged just over a 92 percent compliance rate. The most recent check for August 2013 showed a compliance rate of nearly 94 percent. These numbers do not show a significant drop in compliance rates with private liquor sales.

Using data from the Washington State Patrol, the Washington Policy Center has found that the improving trends of alcohol-related arrests in their state were not reversed, to the consternation of privatization opponents who claimed otherwise.

State control wasn’t keeping Washington residents safer. And now residents are enjoying improved public safety reports, in addition to increased sales and tax revenue, thanks to ending their government alcohol monopoly.