A retail store clerk was cited for selling alcohol to a minor decoy, the San Diego Police Department’s Vice Unit said Wednesday.
The SDPD Vice Unit and an agent of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control cited the clerk on Saturday in a minor decoy operation in which minors under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from eight retail licensees in San Diego, SDPD Vice Lt. Jason Scott said.
Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers, Scott said. About 25% of fatal crashes involve underage drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Conducting these operations allows us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” said Scott. “Businesses must practice responsible sales of alcoholic beverages to help keep our communities safe.”
“Businesses should always check IDs before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Preventing access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”
The clerk who sold to a minor could face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation.
The ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license.
Minor decoy operations have been conducted by law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40% to 50%. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped to below 10% in some cities, Scott said.
In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of minor decoys is a valid legal tool of law enforcement to make sure that licensees are complying with the law.
Funding for the program was provided by a grant from ABC through the department’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program.
— City News Service
