The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office cited three clerks for selling alcohol to minors during a Minor Decoy operation conducted on May 30, according to a June 3 announcement. The enforcement action involved minors, under the supervision of department agents, attempting to purchase alcohol from 15 retail licensees across Monterey County.
Clerks at businesses located on the 1600 block of Canyon del Rey in Seaside, the 130 block of General Stillwell Drive in Marina, and the 2700 block of Imjin Parkway in Marina were cited. Clerks who sold alcohol to a minor face a minimum fine of $250 and between 24 and 32 hours of community service for a first violation. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) may also take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage licensee where the sale occurred. This can include fines, suspension, or permanent revocation of the business’s license.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said, “Our deputies will continue conducting Minor Decoy operations throughout Monterey County to ensure compliance with laws designed to protect our youth. Holding retailers accountable helps prevent underage drinking and contributes to a safer community for everyone.”
ABC Director Paul Tupy said, “Licensees should always check identification before selling alcohol. Our roadways and communities see improved safety when we prevent access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol.”
Statistics indicate that individuals under age 21 have a higher risk of being involved in vehicle crashes than older drivers; about one-quarter of fatal crashes involve underage drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Minor Decoy operations have been used by law enforcement statewide since the 1980s. When first implemented, up to half of retail establishments sold alcohol illegally during these checks; regular operations have reduced this rate below ten percent in some cities. In 1994, California’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld using minor decoys as an appropriate legal tool for law enforcement.
Funding for this program was provided by an ABC grant through its Alcohol Policing Partnership program.
