In an effort to combat underage drinking, the Manteca Police Department, with assistance from Manteca Cadets, police officers, and an ABC Agent, carried out a Minor Decoy Operation on January 27th of this year. The sting operation involved a series of checks at local alcohol-selling venues, spanning both on-sale and off-sale licensed establishments. According to a social media post from the Manteca Police Department, a minor decoy was able to illegally purchase alcohol from one on-sale and two off-sale locations.
The operation aimed to immediately address and highlight the issue of underage access to alcoholic beverages. The police department's statement underscores the importance of vigilance among business owners and their staff in verifying identification before selling alcohol. The sting revealed that not all establishments are adhering closely enough to these guidelines, allowing minors to sometimes slip through the cracks and to illegally obtain alcoholic drinks.
The collaboration between the Manteca Police Department and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is part of a grant agreement, designed to prevent underage drinking by limiting access to alcohol. These checks are a routine part of the department’s strategy for safeguarding youth against the dangers of early alcohol consumption.
Local authorities are calling on the community to take part in safeguarding minors by refraining from providing them with alcohol. Residents and visitors are urged to report any incidents of underage individuals consuming, possessing, or being furnished with alcoholic drinks. The Manteca Police Department can be contacted at 209.456.8101 for any such reports.
