Two store clerks cited for selling alcohol to minors

Minors helping the South Lake Tahoe Police Department were able to buy alcohol at two local businesses on December 5, resulting in citations and fines for the clerks.

The participants of "Minor Decoy" tried to purchase alcohol from 33 licensees in the city.

Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980’s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped in some cities as low as 10 percent or even below.

During the most recent operation, the two who sold to the minor face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is conducting the compliance checks to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.