By SDCN Staff
East County, CA–San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deputies, along with Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents conducted Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operations at various ABC-licensed establishments Tuesday in the communities of Rancho San Diego and Jamul.
During the decoy operation, a minor under the direct supervision of department agents attempted to purchase alcohol at ABC-licensed premises. One establishment, a restaurant in Rancho San Diego, sold alcohol to the minor 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, according to Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Jacob Klepach
The Shoulder Tap operation was conducted in front of various retail convenience stores where a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer asked adults to purchase their alcohol. In each instance, the minor stated to the adults they were underage and could not purchase alcohol. A total of 26 adults were contacted and no one 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-related operations such as Minor Decoy 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.
The operation was made possible by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program.
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.
