Minor decoy operation results in zero arrests
– On Saturday, officers from the Paso Robles Police Department conducted a Minor Decoy ‘Shoulder Tap’ Operation designed to help reduce youth access to alcohol. This operation involved a minor attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages near several different Paso Robles businesses. The minor was being monitored by undercover officers. This operation took place between the hours of 4–8 p.m.
Twenty-eight individuals were contacted near six different businesses, and not one of those individuals agreed to purchase alcohol for the minor decoy.
This operation can lead to the arrest of adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21 years old. Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.
If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service. The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.
