By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, along with agents from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) conducted Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap Operations at various ABC-licensed establishments in the unincorporated communities of Rancho San Diego and Bonita.
During the Minor Decoy operation, a minor under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol at four locations. One of the locations, a restaurant in Rancho San Diego sold alcohol to the decoy. The involved employee was issued a citation for furnishing alcohol to a minor. Additionally, sales of alcohol to a minor decoy may result in administrative penalties for the licensee, including fines and potential suspension of alcohol sales.
The Shoulder Tap operation was conducted in front of one local retail liquor store where a minor, under the direct supervision of an officer, asked adults to purchase their alcohol. The minor indicated in some way they were underage and could not purchase the alcohol. Four adults were contacted, and two adults purchased alcohol for the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
ABC conducts compliance checks statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. These operations help the community by promoting responsible practices in the sales of alcoholic beverages by licensees, reducing alcohol abuse by minors, and limiting underage access to alcohol.
This operation was made possible by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership grant.
Anyone with information on licensed alcohol establishments providing alcohol to minors is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or by calling the Sheriff’s Department non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200. Callers can remain anonymous.
