Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) conduct minor decoy operation
By Sam Catanzaro
Two popular Santa Monica restaurants were recently caught serving alcohol to teens.
Blue Plate Taco on Ocean Avenue was one of two restaurants that failed a minor decoy sting operation put in place by the Santa Monica Police Department’s Vice Unit.
Officers held a compliance check at six alcohol retail establishments within the City of Santa Monica. Jimmy’s Famous Tavern on Ocean Avenue also failed the sting on February 13, 2020.
The Minor Decoy Program uses supervised individuals under the age of 20, who attempt to purchase alcohol at licensed premises.
If alcohol is sold to a minor decoy, criminal and administrative citations can occur for both the employee and the licensing restaurant.
Four of the establishments(listed below) passed the operation and refused to give Alcohol to minors once asking for ID.
- Del Frisco’s – 1551 Ocean Avenue
- Red O – 1541 Ocean Avenue
- Lowes Hotel – 1700 Ocean Avenue
- Le Merigot Hotel – 1740 Ocean Avenue.
The Minor Decoy Program is a part of the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership.
Both involved employees at Blue Plate and The Famous Tavern were issued a citation.
The Santa Monica Mirror did reach out to both failed restaurants for comment. Blue Plate Taco did not issue a response within the time that this article was published. Jimmy’s Famous America Tavern did not respond to our inquiry for comment.
