Oceanside, CA – On March 08, 2021, Detectives from the Oceanside Police Department’s Vice Unit conducted a minor decoy operation to check on compliance at off-sale alcohol retail establishments within the City of Oceanside. The Minor Decoy Program uses supervised individuals under the age of 21, who attempt to purchase alcohol at licensed premises. Any sale of alcohol to a minor decoy may result in criminal and administrative sanctions for the employee and the licensee.
The team visited six alcohol retail establishments within the city of Oceanside. Four of the establishments did a commendable job and used proper protocol as the minor decoy was denied alcohol at each location. A violation was obtained at two locations and the employee was issued a citation for selling alcohol to a minor.
The following locations engaged in responsible sales of alcohol by asking for the decoy’s age, identification and refusing to sell alcohol upon determining the minor was under 21:
7-Eleven- 420 N. Coast Hwy
Circle K- 1801 S. Coast Hwy
Ralphs Grocery Store- 101 Old Grove Road
Milano’s Liquor- 3846 Mission Avenue
The following locations sold alcohol to the minor decoy and the involved employee was issued a citation:
Pappy’s Market- 601 N. Cleveland Street
Shell Gas Station- 1501 N. Melrose Drive
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.
This project is part of the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership Program.
