Santee Merchants Pass Minor Decoy Test: Sheriff

SANTEE, CA — Businesses in Santee and Lakeside scored well Friday when tested by the San Diego County Sheriff‘s Department and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Through a $100,000 countywide grant to help combat underage drinking and other crimes that may occur at ABC-licensed establishments, sheriff's deputies and ABC agents conducted "minor decoy" and "shoulder tap" operations from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at various locations in Santee and Lakeside, according to sheriff's officials.

The law enforcement partners sent underage decoys into 11 retail establishments such as stores and restaurants, where they attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages.

"All licensed businesses tested, successfully turned the decoys away," sheriff's Sgt. Karla Menzies said.

However, not all adults passed a similar test, she said. During a shoulder tap operation conducted in front of liquor stores in Santee and Lakeside, deputies and agents watched as teen decoys asked adults to purchase them alcohol. Of 31 adults contacted, Menzies said one was arrested on suspicion of selling alcohol to a minor, which is a misdemeanor.

The grant awarded to the Sheriff's Department in July from ABC will enable the two agencies to continue such operations through June 2017 in San Diego County communities patrolled by the Sheriff's Department.

Not only does the ABC Grant Assistance Program help reduce alcohol abuse and youth access to alcohol, it helps fight alcohol-related crimes and educate ABC-licensed businesses, Menzies stated in a news release.

"The cooperative efforts of the Sheriff’s Department and ABC are aimed at building positive working relationships between all stakeholders and increasing safety in San Diego County," she said.

Anyone with information on licensed liquor establishments providing alcohol to minors can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 858-580-8477, or call the Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at 858-565-5200.

Patch file photo/Maggie Avants