Detectives with the Fresno Sheriff - Coroner’s Office continue to conduct investigations into the sales of alcohol to minors throughout the county of Fresno.
The Sheriff’s Office is conducting the compliance checks countywide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. The occurrence of illegal alcohol use among California youth is a major problem. Underage drinking poses serious consequences for the health and welfare of all Californians by contributing disproportionately to alcohol involved traffic fatalities and other alcohol-related crimes. These dangers were recently highlighted by a double homicide that was reported to the Sheriff’s Office on January 29th, 2016. The preliminary investigation suggests underage drinking may have been occurring prior to the homicides.
The two primary techniques utilized in these investigations are known as the Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap Operations.
The Minor Decoy Operation involves minors who work under the direct supervision of department agents. The minors attempt to purchase alcohol from retail licensees within the county of Fresno. Since January 1st, 2016, 12 establishments were cited for sales of alcohol to minors. Those who sold to minors face a minimum fine of $250 and/or 24 - 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. This may include a fine, a suspension or the permanent revocation of the license.
Detectives also conduct Shoulder Tap Operations, which target adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21 years of age. The operation places a minor outside of a liquor or convenience store and they ask customers to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the minor, agents then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service. Again, as part of the program, the minor is always under the direct supervision of a peace officer.
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% - 50% When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10%, or even lower. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure licensees are complying with the law.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through the department’s Grant Assistance Program. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
