Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) has received the “Best Enforcement Program” award for the second consecutive year from national trade magazine StateWays for its loss prevention program that reduces theft, fraud and operational errors. 

The program preserves profits that the County uses for its programs. StateWays recognizes it as one of the publication’s nine annual Best Practices awards. The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association will present the StateWays Best Practices Award to ABS at a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Missoula, MT.

The StateWays magazine feature story announcing this year’s winners said, “Now in its second year, the Montgomery County Alcohol Beverage Services Inventory Control and Loss Prevention Unit has already paid dividends maximizing profits while minimizing risk and loss. . . . Combining a people-first approach with enhanced technical tools, the program has increased controls, standardized procedures, improved operating efficiency and implemented investigatory oversight.”

“I’m pleased that our Alcohol Beverage Services has been nationally recognized as an industry leader for their innovative approach to loss prevention,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Their efforts not only protect public resources but also demonstrate a strong commitment to accountability and operational excellence. This award highlights the important role ABS plays in supporting County programs, and it’s a great example of how we can continuously improve ABS services to our community.”

The department enhances loss prevention by implementing additional routine audits, improving data collection and analysis, and launching a new online dashboard. The dashboard shows key metrics by location and district. Last October, ABS deployed a new point-of-sale system in its retail stores that accounts for inventory and product sales more precisely. This data has raised awareness and preparedness among retail employees.

Additionally, the program partners with law enforcement to ensure more timely arrests and prosecutions for repeat shoplifting and large-scale thefts. The team has recovered approximately $15,000 through court-ordered restitution and has an additional $26,000 in restitution pending.

StateWays serves as the only magazine devoted to issues affecting alcohol control state systems. It features articles that reflect many aspects of the control states’ mission. Including fiscal performance, responsible consumption promotion, enforcement, retail sales, and warehouse operations.

Read the full press release here

Read the StateWays article at https://read.epgmediallc.com/sw24fall-digital/0794917001726683131.