Tribal members discuss alcohol regulations

Semi-Dry Nation? Alcohol sales only for on-premises consumption? No new bars? All of these were ideas suggested and considered by community members and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal (SRMT) Council when a special meeting was called to discuss the issue of alcohol sales in Akwesasne.

The meeting, held last Thursday

evening at the Tribal Community Building, was scheduled after the issue of alcohol licenses was brought up at last month’s monthly tribal meeting. A 21-year-old Akwesasne man had recently been killed by an alleged drunk driver who community members say had been consuming alcohol at a business that would have been serving alcohol illegally if it had been doing so at all. The business had previously been licensed by the Tribe but had the license revoked. It then received a license from the traditional Men’s Council to continue operating and hosting events. However, the Men’s Council has since stated that the license they issued was to do business, not to sell alcohol.

The incident was tragic and upsetting to many, especially those in the community who are concerned about the dangers of alcohol consumption. At the special meeting, a number of questions were posed to Council and their Compliance Department regarding the responsibilities of the SRMT and of business owners who sell alcohol.

The father of the 21-year-old man who was killed was present at the meeting and expressed his disdain for any alcohol in Akwesasne.

“There was never supposed to be the sale of alcohol on this reserve,” he said. “(Now) this is blown out of proportion; alcohol is sold everywhere!”

A representative from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department (SRMTPD) defended the police service’s efforts to control illegal activity regarding alcohol. Detective Matt Rourke said that just in 2010 so far the SRMTPD has made more than 30 arrests for Driving While Intoxicated. On New Year’s Day alone there were nine DWI’s by noon.

“We are doing our jobs out there,” he said.

Eliot Lazore, Director of Compliance, said his department (which issues tribal business and alcohol licenses) is also working hard to address the issues of alcohol abuse. One recent example given was the Tribe’s new regulation that store’s selling alcohol for off-premises consumption only do so until 12 a.m., not until 2 a.m. as was the mandate for many years. Lazore said community members were showing up to the stores right before 2 a.m. and stocking up on alcohol and going somewhere else to drink well into the morning.

“We can’t support that behavior in this community,” he said.

The Compliance Department has also mandated that bars in Akwesasne stop selling alcohol to go. Many community members again, Lazore said, were purchasing cases of alcohol at closing time and leaving to continue drinking elsewhere or in the business’s parking lot. Lazore said tribally licensed businesses are now aware that they are still responsible for any incidents that occur in their parking lot, regardless if they’re closed.

Lazore said his department doesn’t only work 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - that compliance officers will sit in bar parking lots or walk into bars to make sure the business is complying with the stipulations of their alcohol license. Fines are issued for any violation. Lazore gave an example of a recent incident in which a patron was seen walking out of a local bar with alcohol. The Compliance Department issued a fine of $500 and gave it to the business owner who asked for proof the violation had occurred. Lazore said he had pictures of the offense and the owner agreed to pay the fine.

“We do have a fairly good compliance record,” Lazore said. “Fines are issued and corrections are made on a regular basis…we’re trying to be more stringent. We’re trying to be as pro-active as possible.”

Community members at the meeting had a number of ideas and those present had many conflicting opinions. Some thought alcohol shouldn’t be sold at so many Akwesasne businesses, but others thought it’s only fair to let all stores sell it if one is allowed to. Some community members thought a semi-dry nation should be considered, and others felt it was their right to purchase or drink alcohol. A suggestion was made that customers only be permitted to purchase a limited amount of alcohol from stores. Others simply wanted to see more enforcement of tribal regulations and felt the police should do more to stop unauthorized businesses from selling alcohol.

Lazore said that not every business who applies for an alcohol license receives one and many people have had great ideas and business plans but for one reason or another the Tribe decided an alcohol license wasn’t appropriate. A new establishment is currently operating without a Tribal license in Rooseveltown, and Chief James Ransom said the business’s alcohol license was denied partly due to its close proximity to the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club. Location is always considered by the Tribe when alcohol licenses are being requested.

The alcohol meeting was held to open up dialogue regarding alcohol regulation. Chief Monica Jacobs said it was a good start. Follow-up meetings are expected.