“Two simple things that can save lives, a clerk asking ‘may I see your ID’ and anyone approached by someone under 21 to purchase alcohol for them, ‘not today’.  It is that simple.  We appreciate California ABC agents who work with their local law enforcement partners to enforce liquor laws so we can all be that much safer out on the roads and in our communities.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

MENIFEE – On February 21, 2025, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents, along with Menifee Police Department officers, cited three clerks for selling alcohol to minors and cited one adult who purchased alcohol for minors. The citations were the result of a Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operation.

During the Minor Decoy operation, decoys under the age of 21 and in direct contact with law enforcement officers, attempted to purchase alcohol from eight retail licensees in the City of Menifee.   The decoys were able to purchase alcohol at three locations.

Those who sold to a minor 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 the minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

In addition to the Minor Decoy operation, ABC agents also conducted a Shoulder Tap operation. A Shoulder Tap operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for underage people. A decoy under the direct supervision of a peace officer stands outside a liquor or convenience store and asks patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the minor, agents can arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.