Press Release: Monterey County Sheriff's Office and ABC Conduct Minor Decoy/Shoulder Tap Operation
DATE/TIME: 1/13/25 at 12:40 PM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and ABC Conduct Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap Operations to Combat Underage Drinking
LOCATION: Salinas / Prunedale, California
MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with agents of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) conducted two enforcement operations on January 10th and January 11th, 2025, aimed at reducing underage access to alcohol. The operations resulted in citations for two clerks who sold alcohol to minors and one adult for furnishing alcohol to minors.
On January 10th, 2025, a Minor Decoy Operation was conducted at 19 retail establishments in the City of Salinas. Under this program, minors under the direct supervision of law enforcement attempted to purchase alcohol. Two clerks who sold alcohol to a minor face a minimum fine of $250 and 24 to 32 hours of community service for the first violation. Additionally, ABC my take administrative action against the alcohol beverage licenses of businesses involved, which could include fines, suspension, or permanent revocation of their licenses. Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped to below 10 percent in some cities. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of minor decoys is a valid legal tool of law enforcement to make sure that licensees are complying with the law.
On January 11th, 2025, a Shoulder Tap Operation was conducted in North Monterey County. This operation targeted adults who purchase alcohol for individuals under the age of 21. A minor, in direct supervision of law enforcement, stood outside liquor and convenience stores and asked customers to buy alcohol on their behalf, explicitly saying they were underage and unable to purchase the alcohol themselves. One adult was cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor and now faces a minimum fine of $1000 and 24 hours of community service. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 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.
About the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control:
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the state of California charged with the regulation of alcoholic beverages. ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of California through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.