SPPD: Four SP merchants cited for selling alcohol to minors in decoy sting

September 07, 2005
Santa Paula Police Department

Four area merchants were cited for selling alcohol to minors during a sting operation held August 31 through a joint action of the Santa Paula Police Department and the State of California Alcohol Beverage Control agency.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesFour area merchants were cited for selling alcohol to minors during a sting operation held August 31 through a joint action of the Santa Paula Police Department and the State of California Alcohol Beverage Control agency. Cited in the sting operation were Primo’s Market on South Mill Street, Chinna’s on Dean Drive, El Rancho Allegre on West Harvard Boulevard and Spirit Gas at the corner of Peck Road and West Harvard Boulevard, according to Det. Gary Marshall.The Minor Decoy Program was in response to recent complaints to the SPPD that alcohol was being sold to those under 21 years of age, said SPPD Sgt. Carlos Juarez. “One complaint alleged beer was sold to those as young as 15 years of age,” noted Sgt. Juarez.The program utilizes a minor, the “decoy” who is under 20 years of age, looks that age or even younger, “enters a store and attempts to purchase alcohol.... The decoy cannot wear clothes or jewelry that would make them look older, and must answer truthfully if asked their age.”
Sgt. Juarez said that 19 business that offer off-sales of alcoholic beverages were visited. Immediately after the sales of alcohol to minors at the four locations, a uniformed officer entered with the decoy and confronted the clerk. Based on a brief investigation, each of the four clerks received a citation for the violation of selling alcohol to a minor.“In the other fifteen locations, the clerks were diligent in asking for ID, and asking the decoy’s age.... Once the true age was disclosed, the clerks denied the sales to minors,” noted Sgt. Juarez. Since 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled that the use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that holders of liquor licenses are complying with the law.Last year, the SPPD received a grant specifically designed for ABC violations. Although the grant was not renewed this year, the SPPD will submit another grant application for 2006, noted Sgt. Juarez. In addition, the SPPD “continues to investigate and conduct operations related to ABC violations, and will continue to perform minor decoy programs in the near future.”Selling alcohol to minors carries a heavy, escalating fine for multiple violations that can result in the suspension or loss of the alcohol license.



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