SANTA MARIA Two people and a store clerk were cited during a “Shoulder Tap” and “Minor Decoy” operation held Wednesday in the city of Santa Maria, police said. The “Shoulder Tap” involves a minor under the direct supervision of officers who attempts to get persons from the community to purchase alcohol from a licensed establishment in the city. The operation was attempted at two different locations. A total of three people were contacted and two of them purchased alcohol for the minor. The two subjects were contacted and cited at the scene for furnishing alcohol to a minor, according to the Santa Maria Police Department.
The “Minor Decoy” operation has someone under 21 try to purchase alcohol. The decoy entered six establishments. At La Favorita Market, 1635 North Broadway, a clerk sold alcohol to the decoy.
The clerk was contacted and cited and will face criminal charges and the business will be evaluated by the local Alcohol Beverage Control office for possible administrative actions, police said.
