Full Notification

For Immediate Release December 24, 2024
OPD News:

ABAT Investigation Results in Multiple Business Citations

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) Alcohol Beverage Action Team (ABAT) Unit conducted a Minor Decoy operation at several businesses on December 18, 2024. The Minor Decoy operation involves minors who work under the direct supervision of police officers. During the investigations, the minor decoy attempts to purchase alcohol from a retail licensee in Oakland. The ABAT Unit cited four businesses for selling alcohol to minors.

“Providing alcohol to our youth is a crime and puts young people and the public in harm’s way,” said Officer Jennifer Sena.

Those who sold to a minor face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) may take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to the minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license.

“Minor Decoy Operations help restrict underage access to alcohol by deterring adults from selling to them,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “These programs have steadily decreased the accessibility of minors to obtain alcohol from licensed premises and the general public.”

Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunk driving fatalities than the general adult population. About 25 percent of alcohol-related crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from Office of Traffic Safety through National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

About the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the state of California charged with the regulation of alcoholic beverages. ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of California through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.