Elk Grove Shopkeepers Beware - EGPD Deploying Minor Decoys

May 23, 2014 |

Officers from the Elk Grove Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit cited two adults who purchased alcohol for minors last week as part of the Minor Decoy Operation and Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation.

The Minor Decoy Operation involves minors, who work under the direct supervision of officers, as they attempt to purchase alcohol from retail licensees in the City of Elk Grove.  During the operation last week, two local licensees were contacted and were both found to be in compliance.

Those licensees who sell to minors face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

In addition to the Minor Decoy Operation, ABC Investigators also conducted a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation. A Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age.  Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.  The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service. 

The Elk Grove Police Department is conducting the compliance checks to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.  Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.  The Elk Grove Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Unit will be conducting another operation next week.