Two Cited for Selling Alcohol to Underage Decoy

Two people were cited after selling alcohol to a 19-year-old Redlands Police Department (RPD) volunteer who worked directly with law enforcement during a Minor Decoy Operation over the weekend. Police visited 17 licensed alcohol establishments in the City while conducting a Minor Decoy Operation. A Minor Decoy Operation involves a minor (underage volunteer) who works under the direct supervision of a peace officer. The decoy will enter a licensed establishment and attempt to buy alcohol. During decoy operations, minor decoys are required to answer truthfully if asked their age and they must provide valid identification indicating they are underage to buy alcohol if they are asked to do so. At the Flamingo Cocktail Lounge, 338 Orange St., a doorman checked the minor decoys’ ID before admitting her to enter the bar. The bartender did not check her ID and served her a beer. The bartender was cited for sales of alcohol to a minor and the business faces possible administrative action from the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). A bartender at Redlands Oyster Cult, 16 E. Citrus Ave., did not check the volunteer’s ID before selling her a beer. The bartender was cited and the business faces possible administrative action from the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control The enforcement efforts are part of a $26,660 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to battle alcohol-related harm. The Redlands City Council approved the grant at their July 2, 2019, meeting. The ABC grants are provided to selected local law enforcement agencies to expand their efforts in addressing alcohol-related problems through a comprehensive Alcohol Policing Partnership Program that encompasses a wide range of strategies. The project period began July 1, 2019 and ends June 30, 2020. During this period, the grant funds will be used to increase the hours officers have to enforce alcohol related laws, raise public awareness regarding underage drinking, conduct minor decoy operations, conduct shoulder tap operations, conduct inspections at “on-sale” and “off-sale” licensed locations, host classes for the community, train law enforcement personnel on ABC laws, and provide alcohol and drug abuse prevention programs in the community.  The grant funds cover overtime expenses necessary to conduct the enforcement and educational programs. ABC grant operations are a component of the Redlands Police Department’s Responsible Redlands initiative. The Redlands Police Department, with the support of state agencies, including the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Office of Traffic Safety, the County of San Bernardino, and local business and community groups, launched the initiative in late August 2013 to focus on enforcing alcohol laws. The Responsible Redlands initiative aims to curb the problems related to binge and underage drinking in Redlands in order to achieve a safer, healthier community. The campaign includes DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to identify intoxicated drivers, party patrols to enforce the City’s Social Host Ordinance, decoy operations to cite businesses and individuals who provide alcohol to underage persons and educational efforts for local businesses that serve alcohol. Responsible Redlands welcomes partnerships with alcohol retailers and establishments that serve alcohol. The Responsible Redlands initiative addresses problems related to binge and underage drinking through ongoing strategic operations to enforce alcohol laws. It is a collaborative effort formed and led by the Redlands Police Department, supported by the Common Vision Coalition, local businesses and the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control District Office and State Office of Traffic Safety. Anyone with information regarding crime or suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681 ext. 1. Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime. Suspicious activity and tips can be reported using the City of Redlands 311 mobile app available for Android, iPhones, and iPads. Redlands Police press releases and other information are available on the Redlands Police Department Facebook page at www.facebook.com/redlandspolicedepartment or on the Department website at https://www.cityofredlands.org/police