Press Release: Monterey County Sheriff's Office and ABC Conduct Minor Decoy Operations

DATE/TIME: March 20, 2025 @ 0900 hours

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and ABC Conduct Shoulder Tap and Minor Decoy Operations to Combat Underage Drinking

LOCATION: County of Monterey, City of Salinas, and Peninsula Cities

MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph Bañuelos, Commander; Phone: 831-755-3807; Email: banuelosjm@countyofmonterey.gov

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), conducted two enforcement operations on March 15 and 16, 2025, aimed at reducing underage access to alcohol which resulted in citations being issued to two servers who unlawfully served alcohol to minors.

On March 15, 2025, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office participated in a Statewide Shoulder Tap Decoy Operation, designed to prevent youth access to alcohol and reinforce the message that adults should not purchase or provide alcohol to individuals under the age of 21 to help reduce underage drinking.

During the operation, a minor, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, stood outside liquor and convenience stores across Monterey County, asking customers to buy alcohol on their behalf. The minor clearly stated that they were underage and unable to purchase alcohol themselves. More than 40 adults were approached during the operation, and no one purchased alcohol for the decoy.

On March 16, 2025, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office conducted a Minor Decoy Operation on the Monterey Peninsula and the City of Salinas. In this operation, minors, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, entered restaurants and eateries to attempt purchasing alcohol.

Two servers were cited for serving alcohol to a minor and now face a minimum fine of $1,000 and 24 hours of community service for their first violation. Additionally, ABC may take administrative action against the businesses involved, including fines, suspension, or permanent revocation of their alcohol beverage licenses.

Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “I commend the community for making responsible choices during the Shoulder Tap Operation and refusing to purchase alcohol for minors. This shows a collective commitment to safeguarding our youth and promoting responsible behavior. However, the results of the Minor Decoy Operation highlight that there are still businesses that need to improve in preventing the sale of alcohol to minors. I urge local establishments to remain vigilant, comply with the law, and ensure their staff is well-trained in properly checking IDs. By working together, we can create a safer and healthier environment for everyone in Monterey County.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), statistics show that young people under the age of 21 are at a much higher risk of being involved in crashes compared to older drivers. Approximately 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking.

Both operations were funded by a grant through ABC's Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program, which supports enforcement efforts to ensure compliance with alcohol-related laws and regulations.