Cans of beer are displayed for sale at a retail store. Redlands police and California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents cited three clerks Jan. 22 during a minor decoy operation targeting underage alcohol sales in the city of Redlands. (Photo: iStock by Stockah)
REDLANDS, Calif. — The Redlands Police Department and agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control cited three store clerks Jan. 22 for selling alcohol to minors during a compliance operation, Redlands Police said in a Feb. 12 news release.
The Minor Decoy operation involved minors working under direct supervision of law enforcement agents who attempted to purchase alcohol at nine retail locations in the city of Redlands.
During a previous Minor Decoy operation on Oct. 12, 2025, officers and agents visited 11 retail licensees and cited one clerk.
Clerks who sell alcohol to a minor face a minimum $250 fine and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control may also take administrative action against the business license where the sale occurred, including fines, suspension or permanent revocation.
“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” said Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber.
The operation was funded through a $42,648 grant awarded to the city of Redlands through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program. The Redlands City Council accepted the grant Sept. 16, 2025. The grant is one of nearly 50 awarded statewide.
“This is important to Redlands in order to increase protection for youth and to address crime at problem locations,” Tolber said.
Minor Decoy operations have been conducted statewide since the 1980s. When the program began, violation rates among retail establishments ranged from 40% to 50%, according to ABC. In cities where operations are conducted routinely, rates have dropped below 10%.
“Licensees should always check identification before selling alcohol,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “Our roadways and communities see improved safety when we prevent access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol.”
The Alcohol Policing Partnership program, created in 1995, pairs local law enforcement with ABC agents to reduce alcohol-related harm. Grant funds may be used to prevent alcohol sales to minors and obviously intoxicated patrons, illegal alcohol solicitations and other criminal activity, including drug sales and possession.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 25% of fatal crashes involve underage drinking. Young drivers under 21 face a significantly higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers.
