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POLICE Department
Area Agencies Form New Team, Make Multiple Arrests in Liquor Law Crackdown
July 1, 2015 - A newly formed team comprised of numerous law enforcement agencies in Houston arrested 18 suspects during a six-week initiative targeting businesses with a history of violating liquor laws.
At a news conference at Houston Police Headquarters today (July 1), members of the newly formed "Le Vice Working Group" announced the arrests of individuals employed at a number of bars and nightclubs visited during the lengthy investigation.
The operation, dubbed "The TABC Liquor Violations Initiative," focused on enforcing liquor laws to promote responsible liquor operations and help deter reckless alcohol-related incidents in Houston and Harris County, which leads the nation in alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
From May 16 thru June 30, officers in the collaborative law enforcement initiative visited dozens of businesses - most of them bars and nightclubs - to make sure the establishments were in compliance with state liquor laws.
Photos of 16 of the 18 suspects arrested in the crackdown are posted on the HPD Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/houstonpolice/sets/72157652982118814
"By informing the media and the public of this initiative, we are encouraging all business owners who sell alcohol or allow alcohol on their premises to abide by state laws," said Dan Harris, Captain of the HPD Vice Division. "Our street officers can't do it alone in terms of keeping drunk drivers off our roadways. We need enforcement efforts to extend to businesses selling alcohol so we can help keep intoxicated individuals from operating motor vehicles," Captain Harris added.
Officials announced this is the first operation of the "Le Vice Working Group." The group includes the:
- Houston Police Department Vice Division
- Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Harris County Sheriff's Office
- Harris County Precinct Constable Offices
- Harris County District Attorney's Office
- Texas Department of Public Safety
- Harris County Attorney's Office
- City of Houston Legal Department
The working group will soon focus on future long-term initiatives enforcing tobacco laws, prostitution and human trafficking and illegal gambling.
JFC/HDH/VHS 7-1-15
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
