“While a perfect underage decoy operation is when not one clerk or server sells alcohol to someone under 21, it is encouraging that just two citations were issued in this two-day operation.  Great job to all those who check IDs, to the decoys who assist ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners, and to the law enforcement officers themselves.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

Eureka– On January 23-24, 2025, agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Eureka Police Department conducted minor decoy operations at a total of 40 retail ABC licensees to ensure that clerks are not selling alcohol to customers under the age of 21. 

The underage decoy, attempted to purchase alcohol 40 times and was turned away by all but two clerks.  Those two clerks were cited and 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.

“Conducting these operations helps us increase public safety as well as reduce underage drinking.” said Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens. 

“Businesses should always check IDs before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Preventing access to people 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. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped to below 10 percent in some cities. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of minor decoys is a valid legal tool of law enforcement to make sure that licensees are complying with the law.