SAN DIEGO COUNTY - On November 29, 2022, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents, along with San Diego County Sheriff's Department deputies, conducted Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operations at various ABC-licensed establishments in the communities of Rancho San Diego and Jamul.
During the Minor Decoy operation, a decoy under that age of 21 and under the direct supervision of agents, attempted to purchase alcohol at an ABC-licensed premises. One establishment, a restaurant in Rancho San Diego, sold alcohol to the underage decoy. The involved employee was issued a citation for furnishing alcohol to someone under 21. Additionally, sales of alcohol to a minor decoy may result in administrative penalties for the licensee.
The Shoulder Tap operation was conducted in front of various retail convenience stores. A decoy, under the age of 21, asked adults to purchase him/her alcohol. In each instance, the decoy stated to the adults that he/she was underage and could not purchase alcohol. Twenty-six adults were contacted and not 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.
“The results of the shoulder tap operation conducted by ABC agents and San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies on November 29th are outstanding,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. “We appreciate responsible law-abiding adults who recognize that nothing great comes from furnishing alcohol to young people under 21, and it is against the law. The fact that no one purchased the decoys alcohol means the work agents and local law enforcement officers do to educate the public is working. Great job!”
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.
