EMERYVILLE – On April 29, 2024, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and the Emeryville Police Department cited four clerks for selling alcohol to customers under the age of 21. The customer in which the alcohol was sold to was a decoy working with the agents and officers.  During the undercover operation, the decoy attempted to purchase alcohol from eight retail licensees in the City of Emeryville. 

“It is disheartening to learn that half of the clerks presented with a decoy under the age of 21 trying to purchase alcohol, completed the sale,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “This is why it is so important for ABC agents to conduct these operations. Preventing underage drinking works to protect all of us from harm.”

Clerks who sold to the decoy face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, 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.
 
“Businesses should always check IDs of youthful customers before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Preventing access to those who are not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”
 
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.