SANTA MONICA—According to a press release from the Santa Monica Police Department, on Thursday, April 20, the SMPD Vice Unit conducted a minor decoy operation targeting establishments that sell alcohol. Licensed establishments are prohibited from selling alcohol to minors under the age of 21, as per federal law.
Supervised individuals under the age of 20 attempted to purchase alcohol at 10 licensed locations around the city of Santa Monica, as part of the Minor Decoy Program. Two establishments, Burger N Brews at 3021 Lincoln Boulevard and Lula Cocina at 2720 Main Street, furnished alcohol to the minor decoys. The violators were issued a citation for 25658(a) Business & Professions Code.
The eight other establishments refused to sell alcohol to the minor decoys after asking for age and identification and discovering they were under the age of 21.
The locations that practiced responsible sales of alcohol include: The Craftsman at 119 Broadway; The Counter at 2901 Ocean Park Blvd.; El Torito at 3360 Ocean Park Blvd.; Signature Wine at 2717 Ocean Park Blvd.; OP Market at 2305 Ocean Park Blvd.; Daily Pint at 2310 Pico Blvd.; Sunset Plaza Liquor at 2602 Pico Blvd.; and Gaslight at 2030 Wilshire Blvd.
“The operations are randomly conducted but typically 2-3 times per year. The locations vary with each operation,” Lieutenant Saul Rodriguez told Canyon News in an email.
The Minor Decoy Program has proven to be effective in promoting responsible practices in the sales of alcohol by licensed establishments, reducing substance abuse, and improving community welfare by prohibiting underage access to alcohol.
“The operations success varies but it definitely provides a reminder and an educational component to the alcohol retail establishments,” Lt. Rodriguez said to Canyon News.
The operation is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Minor Decoy/Shoulder Tap Grant Project and is funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
