N.C. ABC Commission Launches ‘Last Call’ (Press Release)
Cooperative Initiative with Local Law Enforcement and State ALE Streamlines Process for Suspending Alcohol Permits of Violent Bars and Clubs
GREENVILLE, NC – Speaking at today’s meeting of the NC Metro Coalition of Chiefs of Police, Jon Williams,
chairman of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, announced the “Last Call” initiative.
Last Call streamlines the process for local law enforcement and the state ABC Commission to suspend
alcohol permits held by businesses with histories of documented violence and reckless disregard for public
safety.
“We will not tolerate irresponsible establishments that are the site of recurring violence,” said Gov. Bev
Perdue. “I will continue to work with the ABC Commission to create safer communities around North
Carolina.”
The NC ABC Commission regulates the permits of 17,000 retail establishments in North Carolina that serve
or sell alcohol to the public. Since being named chairman of the ABC Commission Williams has reviewed the
summary suspension process, and has executed three orders of summary suspension.
“Most businesses operate within the law and are not a threat to the public’s safety. But to those businesses
that hold permits to serve alcohol, that ignore their responsibility and are sites of repeated violence I want to
be very clear: straighten up or we will shut you down,” said ABC Commission Chairman Jon Williams. “The
ABC Commission is ready and willing to give local law enforcement, state Alcohol Law Enforcement and
courts officials a ready resource to call on when a situation is out of hand and businesses that hold alcohol
permits are ignoring the law and endangering the public.”
The North Carolina Metro Coalition of Chiefs of Police, representing 26 police chiefs who serve populations
over 30,000, was established in 2003 to promote quality law enforcement and improve the safety of the North
Carolina communities they serve. City of Jacksonville Chief Yaniero serves as Chair of the NCMCCP.
ABOUT THE ABC COMMISSION
North Carolina is one of 19 states to regulate alcohol through a control system. Since 1937 the North Carolina
Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has provided regulation and control over the sale, purchase,
transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state of North
Carolina. In fiscal year 2009, the Commission returned more than $250 million in taxes and revenue to benefit
the General Fund and the budgets of local cities and counties that sell alcoholic beverages.
