On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, Newport Beach Police Detectives partnered with Investigators from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to conduct a compliance check operation on local liquor-licensed establishments. Under the direct supervision of NBPD and ABC staff, minors attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages from 12 different retail licensees in the city of Newport Beach. Citations were issued at five establishments: The Alley Restaurant and Bar, Rudy’s Pub and Grill, CP Restaurant and Lounge, Gina’s Pizza (Balboa Peninsula), and Cassidy’s Bar & Grill. The remaining seven businesses did not sell alcohol to the underage decoys: Circle K, Sportsman’s Liquor Store, 7-11 (Balboa Boulevard), Bal-Port Liquors, Malarky’s Irish Pub, Class of ‘47, and the Balboa Saloon.
Those who sell alcoholic beverages to minors face a fine of $250 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 operation was provided by a $48,191 grant awarded to the NBPD from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 2016/2017 Grant Assistance Program (GAP). The GAP grant award allows the Police Department to work with retail alcohol establishments on issues such as over-service, underage drinking, and ABC condition violations. In support of these activities, the NBPD uses proven ABC enforcement strategies, such as IMPACT (Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendencies) Inspections, Minor Decoy Operations, Shoulder Tap Operations (where minors attempt to obtain alcohol from adult strangers near off-sale retail outlets), undercover operations, and Saturation Patrols by uniformed officers. The NBPD also facilitates Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) training, in which ABC Investigators educate employees of local bars and restaurants on responsible beverage service. The Police Department has hosted two LEAD classes in 2016, training over 100 employees from local establishments.
The City of Newport Beach has over 438 active retail ABC licenses.
