Lake Elsinore Sheriff's, ABC, Teaching Responsible Alcohol Sales

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station deputies, under the leadership of Capt. James Rayles, is teaming up with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to provide free, voluntary online training sessions for all ABC off-sale licensed businesses and their employees in Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, and Canyon Lake.

ABC’s Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) training program educates off-sale licensed businesses, such as convenience stores, liquor stores, and gas stations, on laws involving the sale of alcoholic beverages, according to a recent news release. Online registration for the training program is currently available.

Capt. James Rayles of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station spoke about the partnership with ABC and the importance of free training for area stores.

“We’re pleased that ABC can offer this service to businesses in our community,” Rayls said. “When alcohol is sold legally and safely, it can reduce underage drinking and increase public safety.”

The curriculum is designed for licensees, managers, and employees. It provides practical information on selling alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly, and legally, as well as on preventing sales to minors and people who are obviously intoxicated. The training also offers guidance on dealing with illicit drug activity at the licensed establishment.

ABC believes this type of training helps businesses better understand their responsibilities and provides them with the necessary tools and knowledge to make their communities safer.

ABC Chief Director Frank Robles spoke on the new free program.

“ABC’s free and effective LEAD program has educated thousands of licensees on alcoholic beverage laws, and how to operate a safe business,” Robles said. “The program not only helps businesses understand their legal responsibilities, but also provides them with the tools to act appropriately with their licensing privileges.”

A grant from ABC through the department’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program provided funding for this program.