The Orange Police Department have cited one clerk for selling alcohol to minors on October 18, 2023. The actions were the result of a Minor Decoy operation in which minors under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from 16 retail licensees in the City of Orange.

The clerk who sold to a minor faces a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, suspension, or the permanent revocation of the license.

“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” said Chief Dan Adams.

“Businesses should always check IDs before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Preventing access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”

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).

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.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from ABC through the department’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program.

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.

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership.

About the Orange Police Department

The mission of the Orange Police Department is to perform law enforcement duties with innovative leadership, accountable to the people we serve, to ensure their safety and improve the quality of life in our diverse community. For more information on the Police Department, please visit us at www.cityoforange.org. Follow us on social media to stay connected: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.