Cashier Caught Selling Alcohol To Minor In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — A cashier at a Santa Monica supermarket was caught selling alcohol to a minor during a police sting operation earlier this month, according to police.

The Santa Monica Police Department conducted the operation on May 7, in which a minor — under the supervision of detectives — attempted other purchase alcohol from nine retail establishments in the city, according to police.

A clerk at Bristol Farms on Wilshire Boulevard was cited for selling alcohol to a minor, police said.

Clerks who sell to minors face a minimum fine of $250 and/or 24 to 36 hours of community service for a first violation. State officials will also take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where alcohol was sold to a minor. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license, police said.

Minor decoy operations have been conducted throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, as many as 50% of the establishments tested in the operations were caught selling alcohol to minors, according to police.

When conducted on a routine basis, the rate is now as low 10%, police said.