SAN DIEGO–Sheriff’s deputies, along with agents from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control, and three minor decoys conducted on March 27 a decoy and Shoulder Tap operations at various liquor store locations in Santee.
The minor decoys tested retailers at six locations, attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages inside their establishments. One location sold alcohol to the decoys. The clerk who sold alcohol to the teen was arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor, which is a misdemeanor offense.
The Shoulder Tap operation was conducted in front of four local retail liquor stores where a teenager asked adults to purchase the teen alcohol. Eleven adults total were contacted, and two purchased alcohol for the minor. The adults who purchased alcohol for the teens were also arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Alcohol Beverage Control related operations such as Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap help reduce alcohol abuse and youth access to alcohol. Operations like these will continue through June 2021, authorities said.
In July 2020, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department received an Alcohol Beverage Control grant of $100,000. The money is being spent in the communities patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department to reduce alcohol related crimes and educate Alcoholic Beverage Control licensed businesses. The goal of the Alcohol Policing Partnership program is to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to help make communities safer.
Anyone with information on licensed liquor establishments providing alcohol to minors can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477, or by calling the Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.
