The Lake Orion Police Department, in conjunction with agents from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (LCC), will present a training seminar in June for all Village of Lake Orion licensed liquor establishment owners.
The LOPD’s alcohol enforcement activities at one downtown restaurant, Whiskey’s Steakhouse, formerly Muy Loco, were called into question recently by owner Bob Eschrich, at a March LO Village Council meeting.
At their April 24 meeting, the council resolved that the police presence at Eschrich’s 29 Front Street establishment was not excessive, as Eschrich had alleged.
The council stated that the LOPD’s enforcement activities were required, consistent and in conformity with Michigan’s liquor laws and rules, and were done in cooperation and conjunction with the LCC.
The council also stated that activities were not being undertaken in a discriminatory manner, were fair, and were undertaken with prior notice to all affected establishments of the nature of the activities that could be utilized by the police.
Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel said the council’s findings resolved Eschrich’s complaint, at least from the village’s end.
?(The council) found everything the police department was doing to be satisfactory, and that procedures followed were what the law requires them to do,? she said. ‘At no time did they overstep their bounds.?
Van Tassel noted that the June training seminar will be the second one that LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh has offered since becoming chief.
‘It’s available to everyone,? she said.
Narsh said a similar training seminar was held in 2003, and was very successful.
‘That seminar was attended by almost all of our licensees,? he said. ‘The Lake Orion seminars are unique in that the police department staff and the LCC agents directly present valuable information to bar owners and staff, on ways to prevent issues that would cause legal and civil liability to them.?
Managers and sales staff are also encouraged to attend. The training will be held at the police department headquarters at village hall.
The seminar will also inform licensees on many procedures and techniques used by uniformed police officers during their regular inspection and detection enforcement activities.
Narsh said all liquor licensees in the village will be notified of the seminar’s date and time by letter in the coming weeks.
‘My goal is to provide relevant training and information that will assist our licensed liquor establishments in maintaining a vibrant and successful business, with good community standing, while in full compliance with state and local laws,? he said.