“A successful operation is when no server or clerk sells alcohol to the underage decoy and no citizen furnishes alcohol to an underage decoy.  Checking IDs and just saying ‘no’ – two easy steps to prevent underage drinking which can lead to vehicle accidents, sexual assaults and other crimes.”

– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

RIVERSIDE COUNTY -On May 18, 2024, agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office cited one clerk and one bartender for selling alcohol to a someone under the age of 21 and arrested two people for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors in undercover operations targeting underage near Wildomar and Canyon Lake.

The bartender and clerk were cited after a decoy, under the age of 21, was successful in purchasing an alcoholic beverage.  Two citizens were cited after they were approached by an underage decoy who asked them to buy alcohol for him/her and they did.

The bartender and clerk face a minimum fine of $250 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension or the permanent revocation of the license.

The penalty for those who furnish alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunken driving crashes than adults.

“We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “By preventing underage drinking, we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs.”