EGPD POP officers cite two businesses in minor alcohol purchase decoy sting

September 2, 2018 |

A sting operation conducted in August by the Problem Oriented Policing unit of the Elk Grove Police Department resulted in two citations to area businesses. 

Using minor decoys under the supervision of the POP officers, 18 businesses selling alcoholic beverages were visited during four separate opeations. Of those establishments, two illegally sold to the decoys.

The penalty for the sales resulted in minimum fines of $250 and and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. Additionally, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor which may include addional fees, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.   

The POP Officers also conducted two Shoulder Tap operations that target adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age. In those two operations, nine locations were visited, 33 people were contacted and two citations were issued.

Shoulder Tap operations minors under the direct supervision of our POP officers 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 and if the adults agrees 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 identity of the Elk Grove businesses cited was not released. 

The operation was funded from a grant from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.