Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) recently released an updated action of legal filing proceedings. VONS COMPANIES INC–specifically West Hollywood Pavilions grocery store, located at 8069 Santa Monica Boulevard, is accused of selling alcohol to a minor decoy. According to file number 456928, the action was received on September 19, 2023 and registered this month on October 20 , 2023. The action against Vons Store 2739 has not yet cleared as of the posting of this piece.
ABC states that under a law passed by the state legislature in 1995, licensees face increased penalties for sales to minors. A first time sale may result in a fine or license suspension. A second sale to a minor within a three-year period is an automatic license suspension. A third sale to a minor within a three year period may result in license revocation.
The Minor Decoy Program allows local law enforcement agencies to use persons under 20 years of age as decoys to purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed premises. As of October 1st, 2004, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has been using its own decoys.
The Decoy Program has been recognized as an excellent method to attack the problems associated with the unlawful purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages by people under the age of 21.
In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled that the use of minor decoys was not entrapment and did not violate due process requirements. Since the Supreme Court ruling hundreds of law enforcement agencies have used the Decoy Program. When used on a regular basis, the percentage of licensees selling to minors drops dramatically.
Immediately following the Supreme Court ruling licensees in some communities were selling alcohol to minor decoys 50% of the time. After continuous use of the program over a period of time, that percentage dropped to less than 20% in some cities.
State regulations that took effect January 2, 1996, require that the decoy be less than 20 years of age; display the appearance of a person under 21 years of age; shall either carry his or her own identification showing the decoy’s correct date of birth, or shall carry no identification; a decoy who carries identification shall present it upon request to any seller of alcoholic beverages; and shall answer truthfully any questions about his or her age. Following the completed sale, but not later than the tie a citation, if any, is issued, the peace officer directing the decoy shall make a reasonable attempt to enter the licensed premises and have the minor decoy who purchased alcoholic beverages make a face-to-face identification of the alleged seller of the alcoholic beverage (Rule 141).
After the violation and face to face identification is completed, the decoy and suspect should have their photograph taken together. A decoy should also be prepared to write a report and willing to testify in court.
In addition, the Department strongly encourages law enforcement agencies to notify all licensees by letter of the results of a pending Decoy Program. The objective of this notification is to minimize the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.
Local agencies are also urged to consider notifying the local media of the Decoy Program. This gives licensees a second notification and may elicit editorial and community support for the agency.
Well I have to go get the rest of my costume! ♥️♥️♥️Tell me when valentines day is here, and I’ll say we can do that!
Maybe the state will stop Kroger from buying Safeway which owns Pavillions. If they get that approved then Vons, Pavillions, Ralph’s, Food 4 Less and Albertson’s will all be owned by Kroger. We can’t have 90% of our grocery stores owned by one company. Why are politicians not making a stink about this???
This is a decision determined by the Federal Trade Commission, not states. However, the CA State AG is considering suing to block the merger. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-10-13/california-preparing-lawsuit-to-block-albertsons-kroger-deal
The decision has a major impact on Southern California. Local politicians need to speak up. They sure speak up about everything else that isn’t in their purview. I guess they don’t care if their constituents get slammed with high grocery prices.
I wish the state was this proactive on enforcing major serious laws that are broken every day that affect our quality of life as they are on this particular issue.
Agree somewhat, but intoxicated minors often cause the other issues you infer.
I agree. This should be enforced. My point was I wish the state was more proactive in enforcing ALL laws.