Santa Monica Police Cites Clerks for Selling Alcohol to Minor

On March 21, 2025, detectives from the Santa Monica Police Department conducted a Minor Decoy Operation, where a minor attempted to purchase alcohol from 13 local retailers. The operation led to citations for clerks at Arco and CVS for selling alcohol to the minor, with penalties including a minimum fine of $250 and community service. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is committed to reducing underage alcohol sales, highlighting the concerning correlation between youth alcohol consumption and increased rates of drunk driving fatalities. Since the program's inception in the 1980s, the violation rate among retailers has dropped significantly, showcasing its effectiveness. ABC Director Joseph McCullough emphasized that holding sellers accountable is vital for community safety and youth protection.

The program is supported by funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety, aiming to further enhance public safety through education and compliance checks. Retailers are encouraged to participate in ABC’s free training to better understand alcohol regulations. For more information on ABC's enforcement and prevention initiatives, interested parties can visit the provided online resources.