Detectives from the Newport Beach Police Department in cooperation with Investigators of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) have issued citations to four people for selling alcohol to a minor. The action was the result of a “Minor Decoy Operation” on September 20, 2019 in which minors under the direct supervision of the investigators, attempted to purchase alcohol from 15 separate retail licensees in the city of Newport Beach.
Citations were issued at four establishments: Sancho’s Tacos, Gina’s Pizza (Balboa Peninsula), Tide Poole’s, and Minute King (Irvine Avenue). The remaining eleven businesses did not sell alcohol to the underage decoys: Circle K, Sportsman’s Liquor Store, The Alley Restaurant and Bar, Bal-Port Liquors, Pavilion’s (Balboa Peninsula), Dory Deli, Henry’s Groceries, Bal Harbor Liquor, Azar’s Pizza, Cassidy’s Bar and Grill, and Outpost Liquor.
Those who sell alcoholic beverages to minors may face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 24-32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license belonging to the businesses where the sales to minors occurred. Possible repercussions include fines, suspension of the establishment’s liquor license, or the permanent revocation of the license.
Minor Decoy Operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of underage decoys is a valid tool for law enforcement to ensure that licensed premises are complying with the law.
Funding for this program was provided by a $25,000 grant awarded to the Newport Beach Police Department from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) 2018/2019 Alcohol Policing Partnership Program (APP). The AAP grant award will allow the Police Department to work with retail alcohol establishments on issues such as over-service, underage drinking, and ABC condition violations.
The City of Newport Beach has 360 licensed establishments.
