BANNING – On May 3, 2024, California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents partnered with Banning Police officers to conduct a both a shoulder tap operation and a decoy operation to combat underage drinking.
In the shoulder tap operation a decoy, under the age of 21 and under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, approaches patrons of liquor or convenience stores and requests the patron purchase alcohol for him or her. The decoy always mentions that he/she cannot purchase the alcohol due to being under the age of 21. During the May 3rd operation, two people chose to purchase alcohol for the underage decoy. The offenders were arrested and cited.
In the decoy operation, the decoy attempted to purchase alcohol at four retail locations. Each of the clerks checked IDs and refused to sell the underage decoy alcohol.
“We applaud the diligence of the clerks who checked the decoy’s ID and thank the agents and officers who worked these operations to better protect the public,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.
