Three people were cited this week in an Alcoholic Beverage Control operation in Santa Maria.
On Thursday, the Santa Maria Police Department conducted an ABC “Shoulder Tap” and a “Minor Decoy” operation throughout the city.
The goal of the program is to reduce the number of underage people getting access to alcohol.
During the “Minor Decoy” operation, someone under the age of 21 attempts to purchase an alcoholic beverage under the direct supervision of undercover Santa Maria police officers.
Police say the decoy went into six businesses throughout the city.
Officers say the Smart and Final at 1721 S. Broadway sold an alcoholic beverage to the minor decoy.
Police say the clerk was cited at the scene and will face criminal charges. The business will be evaluated for possible administrative actions.
During the “Shoulder Tap” operation, a minor attempts to get someone in the community to purchase alcohol for them. The minor made three attempts during the operation, and no one agreed to purchase alcohol for them.
During the overall operation, two people were contacted for drinking in a parking lot. Both were cited.
Funding for the programs is provided by the California ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership grant.
