In an undercover sting that would make a seasoned detective nod in approval, Riverside County sheriff deputies served a cold round of justice in Temecula last week, nabbing two adults for playing 'cool' and buying booze for minors. The sting operation, rolled out March 9, saw law enforcement use underage decoys to weed out lawbreakers willing to hand over alcoholic beverages to individuals not yet of legal drinking age. Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported the first arrest unfolded in the 3300 block of Temecula Parkway with one more happening in the 44000 block of Apis Road.
Even with minors clearly stating they couldn't legally buy alcohol due to their age, it didn't stop some adults from stepping up and getting cited for their illegal generosity. Throughout the operation, minors working with the sheriff's deputies approached a total of 30 individuals at four different retail spots with licenses to sell liquor. Sgt. Chris Mattson, the reporting deputy on the case, detailed the events that targeted adults who purchased alcohol for those under 21.
For those thinking of taking on the errand of buying a round for underage friends, think twice. The price tag is hefty: a minimum fine of $1,000 and a mandatory contribution of 24 hours of community service, a sobering reminder to keep party favors in the right hands.
California’s ABC Director Eric Hirata expressed support for the operations, noting that, "We conduct these operations as an effort to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth." Accidents don't discriminate, especially when it comes to drinking and driving among the youth. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) soberly reveal that underage drinkers are involved in approximately 25% of fatal crashes, a staggering tally.
Served up since the 1980s, these Minor Decoy operations have a track record of showing results. The initial violation rates of retail establishments found selling to minors stood between 40 and 50 percent. However, the routine application of decoy operations has helped reduce this figure to less than 10 percent in some areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of such programs.
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, through its Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program, funds these efforts. And with the operation's grant set to continue pouring out until June 2024, the message remains clear: underage drinking isn’t just taboo, it's against the law, and the Riverside Sheriff’s Office has the handcuffs to prove it.
