SAN JOSE, CA — A joint operation between the San Jose Police Department and the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) targeted underage alcohol sales and led to one citation this week, officials said Thursday.
According to police, officers and ABC agents enlisted a minor to attempt to purchase alcohol from seven retail establishments in San Jose. Officials said one clerk failed the test and was cited at the scene. Clerks found in violation of the law face a minimum fine of $250 and up to 32 hours of community service for a first violation.
ABC can also pursue administrative actions related to the business’s alcohol license, including fines, suspensions and revocations.
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“Businesses should always check IDs before selling alcohol,” said Joseph McCullough, ABC Director. “Preventing access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”
Law enforcement agencies have conducted “minor decoy” operations across the Golden State since the 1980s. Officials said the rate of retail violations fell from as high as 50 percent back then to under 10 percent in many cities now. The effort is funded by grant money awarded annually by the state Office of Traffic Safety.
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