What must employees of a permittee do if they see a person attempting to purchase alcohol who is clearly intoxicated?

Employees of a permittee are required to refuse the sale of alcohol to any person who is clearly intoxicated. This is a critical legal obligation stemming from the responsibility to prevent over-serving and to help maintain public safety. Serving alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated can lead not only to legal repercussions for the establishment but also to greater risks of accidents or disturbances in the community.

Denying the sale to an intoxicated person helps to uphold the standards of responsible alcohol service and complies with the Alcohol Beverage Control laws designed to protect not just the individual attempting to purchase alcohol, but also the broader public. Training programs for employees typically emphasize this duty, as it plays a significant role in reducing instances of alcohol-related harm.

While alerting police or consulting a manager might be considered in certain situations, the immediate and proper action an employee must take is to refuse service. This proactive stance is crucial in maintaining compliance with alcoholic beverage laws and ensuring a safe environment for all patrons.