LODI – On November 20, 2021, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and Lodi Police officers teamed up to conduct a Minor Decoy Operation. The operation is designed to deter the sales of alcohol to people under 21 and to educate retailers.

The minor decoys attempted to purchase alcohol at 21 licensed businesses throughout the city. The businesses were a mixture of stores, restaurants and bars. This was deemed a successful operation as none of the 21 licensed businesses sold or provided alcohol to the minor decoys, which is ultimately the goal of these operations.

“This means 21 different clerks and servers were diligent in checking identifications and denied the decoy an alcoholic beverage.  That is outstanding, and that action works to protect all of us out on the roads and in our communities,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Thank you to ABC agents and local law enforcement officers who work year-round to conduct these operations to’ educate clerks and servers and keep alcoholic beverages from those under 21.

Clerks or servers who sell alcohol to someone under 21 face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC can 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.