Deputies Test Local Establishments and Patrons with Providing Alcohol to Minors

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Minor Decoy / Shoulder Tap Operations - Santee/Lakeside/Encinitas

On August 13, 2026, deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office (SDSO), along with agents from Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and two minor decoys conducted Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap Operations at various locations in Santee/Lakeside and Encinitas.

During the Minor Decoy operation, the minor decoy visited retailers at six locations and attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages under the direct supervision of peace officers. One of the locations, a bar in Santee, sold alcohol to a minor decoy.

The Shoulder Tap operation was conducted in front of six local retail liquor stores where a minor, under the direct supervision of a peace officer, asked adults to purchase them alcohol. The minor indicated in some way they were underage and could not purchase the alcohol. 36 adults were contacted and one adult purchased alcohol for the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

ABC conducts these compliance checks statewide 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.

SDSO partners with ABC through the Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) grant to help prevent underage drinking and other crimes that may occur at ABC licensed establishments.

In July 2026, SDSO received an APP grant in the amount of $100,000. The funds are being utilized in the communities patrolled by the Sheriff’s Office to reduce alcohol-related crimes and educate ABC licensed businesses. The goal of the APP Program is to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to help make communities safer. The cooperative efforts of the Sheriff’s Office and ABC are aimed at building positive working relationships between all stakeholders and increasing the safety of San Diego County.

Anyone with information on licensed liquor establishments providing alcohol to minors can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477, or by calling the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at (858) 868-3200.