The Incident Was Part of a Minor Decoy Operation
The Santa Monica Police Department issued a citation to a clerk for unlawfully selling alcohol to a minor on May 5.
The incident occurred as part of a minor decoy operation conducted by SMPD agents, wherein minors, under direct supervision, attempted to purchase alcohol from eight retail licensees within the city of Santa Monica.
The ABC is currently conducting compliance checks throughout the state as part of its efforts to restrict minors’ access to alcohol. Statistical data has indicated that individuals under the age of 21 are more prone to drunken driving fatalities compared to the general adult population.
“Minor Decoy operations hold accountable those who sell alcohol to minors,” stated Eric Hirata, Director of the ABC. “Preventing youth access to alcohol is a priority.”
Since the 1980s, local law enforcement agencies have been conducting Minor Decoy operations statewide, a release said. When initially implemented, the violation rate for retail establishments selling alcohol to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent.
