2 Santa Monica Establishments Caught Selling Alcohol To Minors

SANTA MONICA, CA — Two Santa Monica establishments were caught selling alcohol to minor's on a February 13 minor decoy operation, the Santa Monica Police Department announced Tuesday.

SMPD's Vice Unit conducted a minor decoy operation to check compliance at retail establishments that sell alcohol within Santa Monica.

The Minor Decoy Program uses supervised individuals under the age of 20, who attempt to buy alcohol at licensed premises. Any alcohol sales to a minor decoy can result in criminal and administrative sanctions for the employee and the licensee, the SMPD news release said.

The team visited six retail establishments that sell alcohol within Santa Monica. Four establishments "did a commendable job" and used proper protocol, denying the minor decoy alcohol at each location, SMPD said. Two locations were under violation and the employees were issued citations for selling alcohol to minors.

Blue Plate Taco (1515 Ocean Avenue) and Jimmy’s Famous Tavern (1733 Ocean Avenue) sold alcohol to the minor decoy and the involved employees were issued a citation.

Del Frisco’s (1551 Ocean Avenue), Red O (1541 Ocean Avenue), Loews Hotel (1700 Ocean Avenue) and Le Merigot Hotel (1740 Ocean Avenue) asked for the decoy's age and identification, and refused to sell alcohol to the minor after they determined the minor was under 21.

"The Minor Decoy Program has proven to be an effective tool in promoting responsible practices in the sales of alcoholic beverages by licensees, reducing substance abuse and enhancing community welfare by limiting underage access to alcohol," SMPD said.

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