On Nov. 20, the Lompoc Police Department conducted a “Shoulder Tap” decoy operation at numerous liquor and convenience stores in Lompoc. During the four-hour operation, about 25 adults were asked by two minor decoys (16 and 18 years old) to buy beer for them. Only one of the adults purchased and provided alcohol to the minor decoys, according to police officials. A 23-year-old Lompoc resident was arrested at the scene and released with a citation for the furnishing alcohol to a minor.
Also, police said several liquor store employees either told the decoys to leave the area or called the police.
During another minor decoy on Nov. 18, minors working with local law enforcement agents and investigators with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) made several attempts to buy alcohol from local businesses.
The minors attempted to purchase alcohol from 10 ABC-licensed establishments. According to a press release from the Lompoc Police Department, all of the businesses successfully prevented the sale and furnishing of alcohol to minors.
The “minor decoy” operation was funded through a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control grant received by the Lompoc Police Department earlier this year. The department is expected to continue coordinating similar operations through June 2009.
This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 3, 2008.