“It’s important that adults refuse the request, no matter how polite, to purchase alcohol for those under 21. Saying no is a simple way to protect others. We thank ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners for conducting these operations throughout the state in an effort to keep all of us safe from harm.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
| VENTURA COUNTY- On November 21, 2024, agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Camarillo Police Department Community Resources Unit (CRU) issued two misdemeanor citations to adults who furnished alcohol to an underage decoy. The citations were the result of an Underage Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation. In the operation an underage decoy, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, asked adults entering Camarillo businesses to purchase an alcoholic beverage for them since they were under the age of 21 years old. During the operation, two male suspects, ages 35 and 55, purchased alcohol for the underage decoy and furnished it to the decoy outside the businesses. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “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.” The CRU will continue to work with ABC agents and other entities to educate and enforce underage drinking laws. Also, local business establishments who sell alcohol to minors risk losing their alcohol sales license and face possible additional fines. |
