12 Rohnert Park Businesses Pass Underage Alcohol Checks

ROHNERT PARK, CA — In a recent undercover alcohol compliance operation, all 12 Rohnert Park businesses checked refused to sell alcohol to underage decoys, police said.

Officers partnered with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the Oct. 19 operation, according to an Oct. 22 department announcement.

Investigators visited gas stations, liquor stores, grocery stores and other retailers to determine whether employees followed state laws prohibiting alcohol sales to people younger than 21.

Underage decoys received money and instructions to attempt alcohol purchases. If employees requested identification or asked their ages, the decoys had to provide truthful information.

If a retailer agreed to sell alcohol without checking identification, the decoy was instructed to complete the purchase. The operation allowed officers to assess whether businesses followed legal requirements when selling alcoholic beverages.

The checks aimed to reduce underage drinking, impaired driving and alcohol-related crashes, injuries and deaths. Police also use enforcement operations to discourage illegal alcohol sales and limit access among young people.

The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety works with Cotati police and Sonoma State University police to address alcohol-related concerns across their jurisdictions.

The operation is part of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's Alcohol Policing Partnership Program, which provides grant funding for local enforcement efforts.

The program will continue through June 2027.