COLLEGE STATION, Texas - A new app allows users to file complaints when they see businesses breaking the law. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission launched the TABC mobile app last week. A representative from the agency says their goal is to prevent establishments from committing any violations.
The app allows users to find businesses and file complaints against them, like if they are serving alcohol to minors or have employees that are intoxicated. Even complaints on suspicion of human trafficking can be filed.
Don Hackney used to own a bar in College Station. He worries the app will do more harm than good because false reports could cause law abiding establishments to lose time and money.
"TABC and the police know the bad bars out here," said Hackney. "They know the bad owners. They know what is going on in these bars and they need to take action on them. An app is not the right way to do it, that is asking someone else to do their job for them. "
Chris Porter is the public information officer for the TABC. He said they will look into every complaint carefully and not interfere with any businesses unless there is some kind of concern. All the complaints will be monitored at their headquarters in Austin and then sent out to local divisions to investigate.
Porter also said that they have worked with other apps in the past but this is the first one they are pushing the public to use.