Recently, the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary's County (ABBSMC ) officially recognized Cpl. James Stone, of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, for his outstanding service as Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator for seven years. Stone has also received the People’s Choice Award for the work he performed.
Aaron Mathis, a member of the Alcohol Beverage Board, praised Stone's ongoing efforts, “Cpl. James Stone has been a tremendous asset to the Alcohol Beverage Board of St. Mary’s County since before November, 2011, when I came on board. He has been a tireless worker, not only when it came to his work with the Board, but also in his outside duties. He takes the issue of underage drinking, as well as all other licensee violations, very seriously. Cpl. Stone has worked well with the entire community, whether it was establishment owners, patrons or other members of the general public.” Mathis added, “Cpl. Stone is excellent at his job, but he goes even further than that, assisting young people and the community as a whole.”
Stone’s duties as Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator include conducting background checks for liquor license applications, investigating alleged violations of applicable codes, and enforcement of all alcoholic beverage laws within the county. During his tenure, Stone has expanded and redefined the duties of the Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator, including partnering with the Alcohol Beverage Board Administrator to develop a Responsible Alcohol Service Training Program (RAST) that is unique to St. Mary’s County.
The Responsible Alcohol Service Training (RAST) was developed to educate those who serve and sell alcoholic beverages to the public on licensing and compliance measures. The training works both in the event of a violation of law, and as a preventative measure. During the training, bartenders, wait staff, management and owners of establishments learn about responsible alcoholic beverage policies, and issues that have been identified by enforcement agencies. RAST also fosters networking between county and state officials. The RAST program was submitted into legislation by the ABBSMC, with the full backing of the Licensed Beverage Association of St. Mary's County (SMCLBA), as a required training by any person applying for an alcohol beverage license. This bill was approved & will take effect July 1, 2016. This program is officially a "real & lasting difference" made by Cpl. Stone
In addition to his obligations as Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator, Stone volunteered for additional responsibilities, which include: Crime Solvers Coordinator, Agency Instructor for Taser training, Standardized Field Sobriety Test Instructor, Preliminary Breath Tests Instructor, Sobriety Checkpoint Manager, Civil Disturbance Unit, and Adopt-a-School Officer for Duke Elementary School in Leonardtown.
“The position of Alcohol Enforcement Coordinator is important to the safety of the public and organizations throughout St. Mary’s County and the whole State of Maryland,” states Stone. “I greatly appreciate the opportunity to further relationships between the Sheriff's Office and local business owners, as well as coordinating activities and enforcement, which have brought about a safer community for everyone.”
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The Alcohol
Beverage Board officially recognized Cpl. James Stone, of the St. Mary's County
Sheriff's Office, for his outstanding service as Alcohol Enforcement
Coordinator for seven years.
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