On Saturday, March 12th, 2016, detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner’s Office participated in a statewide Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation.
The operation involved approximately 80 Police and Sheriff Departments throughout California, as well as agents from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The goal behind the operation was to help reduce the accessibility of alcohol to minors and create a safer environment for our community.
By the end of the day, 432 citations and arrests were made statewide. Detectives with the Fresno Sheriff-Coroner’s Office conducted both Shoulder Tap and Minor Decoy Operations at 16 different locations throughout the County. The operation was successful in that the numerous individuals contacted outside of businesses and solicited to purchase alcohol for the minor decoy all refused to purchase alcohol for the decoy. However, the decoys were able to purchase alcohol directly from the clerks at four different businesses.
Those who sold to the minor face a minimum fine of $250 and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. The punishment may include a fine, a suspension or the permanent revocation of the license.
