announced today the results of a June 24 sting to catch local businesses in the act of selling liquor to minors.
Only one person was arrested during the operation that tested seven businesses--an employee of the on Bill Drake Way in the Manor District, said Pacifica Police Chief Jim Saunders.
During the "minor decoy operation", as it's known among law enforcement agencies, Pacifica police sent a person under the age of 21 into businesses to try to purchase alcohol.
According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), a minor decoy operation "allows local law enforcement agencies to use persons under 20 years of age as decoys to purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed premises."
If the minor is given alcohol, police will move in and make an arrest and issue a citation.
The business itself will face adminstrative action against its ABC license as well, said Chief Saunders.
In the operation on June 24, six businesses--the 7-11 on Manor Drive, Longboard Margarita Bar in Eureka Square, in the Linda Mar Shopping Center, , and --beside the Surf Lounge were tested and passed. All of the businesses are licensed by the ABC to sell or serve alcohol.
"The Pacifica Police Department wishes to commend the businesses practicing responsible alcohol sales for refusing to sell to the minor decoy," said Chief Saunders.
Management at the Surf Lounge have not yet called back with comment on the incident.
The department will continue to run these stings, made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the future, he said.
