On February 16, 2017, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department’s Vice Unit conducted a minor decoy operation targeting alcohol retail establishments. The Minor Decoy Program uses supervised individuals under the age of 20, who attempt to purchase alcohol at licensed premises. Any sale of alcohol to a minor decoy, may result in criminal and administrative sanctions for the employee and the licensee.
The team visited five alcohol retail establishments in the city of Santa Monica. The minor decoy was furnished alcohol at Cabo Cantina-1240 3rd Street Promenade. The violator was issued a citation for 25658(a) Business & Professions Code – Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor.
The following locations engaged in responsible sales of alcohol by asking for the decoy’s age, identification and refusing to sell alcohol upon determining the minor was under 21:
Bar Chloe 1449 2nd Street
Stout 111 Santa Monica Blvd.
Barney’s Beanery 1351 Santa Monica Blvd.
Plan Check 1401 Ocean Avenue
The Minor Decoy Program has proven to be an effective tool in promoting responsible practices in the sales of alcoholic beverages by licensees, reducing substance abuse and enhancing community welfare by limiting underage access to alcohol.
This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Minor Decoy/Shoulder Tap Grant Project funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
