“It’s a simple act to ask for ID and to verify a customer’s age.  We hope that servers take the time to do this in order to obey the law and to protect the public.  Thank you to ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners for working to educate servers, clerks and the public about the dangers of underage drinking.” 

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

CAMARILLO – On December 8, 2025, e California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and the Camarillo Police Department Community Resources Unit (CRU) worked together on a minor decoy operation to see if employees at licensed alcohol establishments would sell alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age. During the operation, a minor decoy under the age of 21, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, entered a business establishment and sat down at the bar area. The decoy attempted to buy alcohol from the bartender and did not lie about his/her age if asked.

Employees at Applebee’s and Take Five Cocktails furnished alcohol to the decoy and were cited and released for a violation of BP 25658(a). In addition, during the operation at Cronies, it was determined that an adult patron under 21 years of age, was furnished alcohol by an adult friend. The Cronies server also gave alcohol to the patron who was under 21 years of age and did not ask either patron for their identification.  After further investigation, the subject was found in possession of a fake driver’s license. This resulted in citations of BP 25662(a) and BP 25661(a) for the underage female and BP 25658(a) for the female friend and server that gave her the alcohol.

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). 

ABC would like to remind the public, “We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth and to protect the safety of our children,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “By preventing underage drinking, we can increase the quality of life in our communities, curtail alcohol related crimes and reduce DUIs.”