20 stores refuse to sell to minors
By Keldine Hull
On August 8, officers from the Santa Monica Police Department’s Vice Unit conducted a minor decoy operation targeting 20 alcohol retail establishments within the City of Santa Monica. Officers were assisted by members of the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control and mainly focused on establishments within the Wilshire Boulevard corridor, Lincoln and Ocean Park Boulevard corridors.
According to a City of Santa Monica press release, “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.”
All 20 establishments used proper protocol, refusing to sell alcohol to the minor decoys. The press release added, “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.”
The following locations that engaged in responsible sales of alcohol are:
Michael’s Liquor, 2401 Wilshire Blvd.
Bristol Farms, 3105 Wilshire Blvd.
BevMo, 3202 Wilshire Blvd.
Walgreen’s, 1931 Wilshire Blvd.
Rite Aid, 1808 Wilshire Blvd.
Rite Aid, 1331 Wilshire Blvd.
Vons, 1311 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica Liquor, 1001 Wilshire Blvd.
Broadway Wine & Spirits, 1011 Broadway
Vons, 710 Broadway
Marine Market, 672 Marine St.
Gelson’s Market, 2617 Lincoln Blvd.
Bob’s Market, 1650 Ocean Park Blvd.
OP Market, 2305 Ocean Park Blvd.
Signature Wine & Spirits, 2717 Ocean Park Blvd.
Rite Aid, 2412 Pico Blvd.
Sunset Plaza Liquor, 2602 Pico Blvd.
Ralph’s Market, 1644 Cloverfield Blvd.
CVS, 2505 Santa Monica Blvd.
Main Street Market, 2916 Main St.
