MENLO PARK — On January 20, 2023, California Alcoholic Beverage Control agents and Menlo Park police officers cited three clerks/servers for selling alcohol to someone under the age of 21. The citations were the result of an operation in which decoys under the age of 21 and under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, attempted to purchase alcohol from six ABC licensees in the city of Menlo Park. 

Those who sold alcohol to the underage decoy face a minimum fine of $250, and/or up to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will pursue administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to someone under 21.  That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

“It is important that ABC agents conduct these operations in an effort to identify and cite those clerks or servers who are not checking identifications of the customers they sell to or serve,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “This serves as an educational tool, enforcement effort, and helps to keep alcohol from young people under the age of 21 who might become involved in accidents and illegal activity while under the influence.”