June 11, 2016
A Pennsylvania legislator is calling for stricter laws to help communities crack down on nuisance bars and alcohol sellers.
State Rep. Mike O'Brien, D-Philadelphia, praised a recent bill, signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday, that allows for wine to be sold at some state grocery stores.
He noted aspects of the law that loosen some of Pennsylvania's strict liquor laws, such as removing Sunday and state holiday restrictions and allowing special discounts and sales at state stores.
"This is good news for consumers because it offers the convenience that helps makes things easier in our busy lives," O'Brien said in a statement Thursday.
Yet the bill did not address issues O'Brien had hoped might be tackled in the legislation, specifically bars and convenience stores that sell alcohol in Philadelphia that cause headaches for the surrounding neighborhood.
"However, the law fails to provide for the enforcement necessary to help prevent and crack down on nuisance establishments that have plagued Philadelphia for years, like some of the stop-and-go take-out stores and bars that attract people who loiter, drink on the street and commit crimes."
Jeff Sheridan, spokesperson for Wolf, said while the governor understood O'Brien's concerns, the new law was not related to the problem, which is an issue of enforcement at the local level.
"The governor would be happy to work with the representative and local law enforcement to address the issue of nuisance establishments that he knows is a problem in many neighborhoods in the city," Sheridan said in a statement Friday.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board does provide guidelines on how to report nuisance establishments plagued by illegal activities or violations, such as sales to minors, after-hours sales, drugs and loud music.
