C-COMPASS was awarded a grant in the fall of 2008 for $2,500.00 from the Northwest Regional Highway Safety Network to work with local establishments to get their servers/sellers trained through the Responsible Alcohol Management (R.A.M.P.) Training Program, offered by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).  This grant will help to subsidize the cost of training for 120 employees of local taverns and beer distributors in detecting fake ID’s, identifying intoxicated patrons, and in knowing the Pennsylvania laws regarding alcohol.

The cost of R.A.M.P. training is $25 per employee.  C-COMPASS is encouraging liquor licensees to participate in this program and will reimburse the owners/managers $15 per employee trained.  The trainings are facilitated by Robert Raphael, an independent R.A.M.P. trainer approved by the PLCB and are held at either Gannon University or Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.                                                          

Eighty employees of fifteen licensees have participated in the program through May 2009.  Two additional training dates are remaining:  Saturday, July 25^th and Sunday, August 9^th.  Both of these sessions will be held at Gannon University from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  For more information about the trainings or to register, contact Ms. Julie Srnka, Gannon University, at 814-871-5649 or srnka001@gannon.edu.

Representatives from six establishments attend the various coalition events

On Wednesday, June 20, representatives from all three coalition schools and two local establishments attended the final coalition dinner for the current grant period. The dinner was held at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. During the meal, a robust discussion about coalition accomplishments and future plans was facilitated by Alan Swigonski, Director of the Waldron Campus Center at Gannon University.

The dinner was the final meal scheduled for the 2006-07 grant year and was proceeded by a luncheon hosted at Gannon University and a breakfast hosted by Mercyhurst College. The breakfast, entitled “Making the grade: Understanding the age compliance program” was presented by Seargeant Wolinsky and Officer Orzechowski from the Erie bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. The PA LCE began implementing compliance checks in the commonwealth in early 2005 as dictated under the authority of Act 141. Underage Buyers, interns from the various colleges/ universities throughout Pennsylvania, work in conjunction with Liquor Enforcement Officers to enter liquor-licensed establishments and attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages. If the establishment serves the Underage Buyer, a Liquor Enforcement Officer immediately notifies them about the Age Compliance Check and administrative action is taken.

Six local establishments were represented throughout the year at the various events, including representatives from the One Way Inn, the Shaggy Dog, the Gaslight, Sherlock’s, Cornerstone, and Papermoon. The meals provided a forum for owners and managers from local bars, taverns, and restaurants the opportunity to advise coalition members on strategies for engaging other establishments and curbing underage and high-risk drinking in our community.