DATE / TIME: Thursday, May 02, 2019/ 5:00PM-10:00PM
LOCATION: Several tobacco licensed locations throughout Pomona.
CRIME: 308 (a)(1)(A)(i)PC, Furnish Tobacco To Minor
VICTIM: City of Pomona
UNIT: Grant Funded Police Officers
NARRATIVE:
On Thursday, May 02, 2019, members of the Pomona Police Department participated in a Tobacco Minor Decoy/ Shoulder Tap Operation conducted throughout the City of Pomona. A concerned effort is being made to reduce the availability of tobacco to minors, and Minor Decoy/ Shoulder Tap Operations are a known method to reduce the availability of tobacco to minors.
One 15 year old minor decoy, under the direct supervision of officers, was sent to various tobacco licensed stores throughout the city. The minor waited outside each location and mentioned to patrons he was 15 years old and asked if they could purchase tobacco products for him. The minor contacted 13 adults and 3 offered to buy tobacco products. After the tobacco was given to the decoy the adults were detained. All violators were positively identified and issued citations for furnishing tobacco to a minor. They were released pending their court date.
The decoy was also sent inside the 76 Gas Station located at 295 E. Holt Ave. Once he entered he went straight to the counter and asked for a tobacco product. The clerk ultimately sold/ furnished tobacco to the decoy. The clerk was also issued a citation for furnishing tobacco to a minor.
This project is part of the California DOJ Tobacco Grant Project, funded by the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tax Act (Proposition 56). The Pomona Police Department would also like to remind you the minimum legal age to possess tobacco in California is 21.
Written by:
Sergeant Jon Edson
Pomona Police Department
