The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)’s Vice Investigations Sections paired with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) throughout September and October to conduct a “Minor Decoy” undercover operation, which surveyed 58 different establishments and cited 16 for violations.
The operations are routine: employees at an ABC-licensed business—such as convenience or liquor stores—are approached by LBPD-supervised minors attempting to purchase alcohol. If the employee asks for ID, then the minor produces one that gives his true underage status and (hopefully) alcohol is not sold. If an employee sells the minor alcohol, the employee is issued a misdemeanor citation while the business owner is notified.
Based on the number of previously sustained ABC-related violations at a particular location, the ABC can issue a warning letter to a business, impose a fine on the same business or issue a suspension or revocation of an existing license to sell alcohol. This is typically done after an administrative review process—related to the reported violation—concludes.
The following 16 businesses were cited during September and October undercover operations:
- Silver’s Liquor (1700 E. Broadway)
- 7-Eleven (1785 Palo Verde Blvd.)
- Best Food Market (5425 Long Beach Blvd.)
- Meadow Maid Dairy (1355 W. Willow St.)
- Frank’s Liquor (919 E. Broadway)
- Liquor Mill (5440 Long Beach Blvd.)
- P&B Liquor (857 Pacific Ave.)
- Paul’s Liquor (4172 Norse Way)
- T&D Market (1710 E. Pacific Coast Highway)
- S&R Liquor Market (1601 E. Anaheim St.)
- 7-Eleven (225 E. Broadway)
- Belmont Heights (3500 E. Broadway)
- Rock Bottom (1 Pine Avenue)
- Rite Aid (211 Cherry Ave.)
- Jones Liquor (2435 E. Broadway)
- Joe’s Liquor (3606 Santa Fe Ave.)
Anyone wishing to report illegal behavior relating to the unlawful sale of alcohol should contact the LBPD Vice Investigations Section at 562-570-7219. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 800-222-TIPS, texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES, or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.