LODI - On January 20, 2023, a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agent worked with Lodi police officers to conduct a Minor Decoy operation in which decoys under the age of 21 and under the direct supervision of officers attempted to purchase alcohol from 10 retail licensees in Lodi. Clerks at all 10 of the establishments did a great job and used proper protocol as the minor decoy was denied alcohol at each location.

“That’s what you call a successful operation,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Kudos to those clerks who requested identification, did the math and did not complete the requested sale of alcohol.  That simple task works to keep all of us safe out on the roads and in our communities.  Our appreciation to ABC agents and local law enforcement officers who work together to conduct these operations in order to educate licensees and their employees.”

ABC conducts these compliance checks statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. 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. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The following locations engaged in responsible sales of alcohol by asking for the minor decoy’s age, identification and refusing to sell alcohol upon determining the minor was under 21:

Star Market- 741 S Cherokee Lane

Valley Food Market- 2401 W Turner Road

Chevron- 633 E Victor Road

Chevron- 611 E Kettleman Lane

AmPm- 800 K Kettleman Lane

7 Eleven- 1111 E Kettleman Lane

Speedway- 2448 W Kettleman Lane

Speedway Express- 401 W Kettleman Lane

Walgreens- 75 N Ham Lane

Food 4 Less- 2430 W Kettleman Lane

Well done!