By SDCN Editor
Oceanside, CA–Detectives from the Oceanside Police Department’s Vice Unit conducted a minor decoy operation to check on compliance at off-sale alcohol retail establishments on November 18 in Oceanside.
The Minor Decoy program uses supervised individuals under the age of 20, who attempt to purchase alcohol at licensed premises.
The team visited seven alcohol retail establishments within the city. Six of the establishments used proper protocol as the minor decoy was denied alcohol at each location. A violation was obtained at one location and the employee was issued a citation for selling alcohol to a minor.
The locations engaged in responsible sales of alcohol by asking for the decoy’s age, identification and refusing to sell alcohol upon determining the minor was under 21 were: Albertsons- 3925 Mission Avenue, Stater Bros Market- 3770 Mission Avenue, Mesa Market- 2255 Mission Avenue, Pappy’s Market- 601 N. Cleveland Street, Rite Aid- 1201 South Coast Highway, and BevMo!- 2500 Vista Way.
The only location that sold alcohol to the minor decoy was the 7-Eleven convenience store, located at 2003 Mission Avenue. The employee that sold the alcohol was issued a citation.
The Minor Decoy Program has proven to be an effective tool in promoting responsible practices in the sales of alcoholic beverages by licensees, reducing substance abuse and enhancing community welfare by limiting underage access to alcohol. Those who sold to the minor face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.
This project is part of the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership Program. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
