ABC Decoy Operation - City of Buellton

Buellton- December 30th, 2007

Sheriff’s Deputies with assistance from the Alcoholic Beverage Control performed a decoy operation at local wineries on December 29th, 2007, in the cities of Buellton, Solvang, and the surrounding county areas of Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. Thirteen wineries were visited during the operation, resulting in three citations being issued to clerks who sold alcohol to a minor; the minor worked with Sheriff’s Deputies and ABC Agents during the operation.

The three clerks who sold alcohol were issued citations for 25658 B&P – Sales of Alcohol to a Minor. The clerks will face a minimum fine of $250.00, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service.  In addition to the criminal citations being issued to clerks who sold alcohol, the Alcoholic Beverage Control will be taking administrative action against the alcoholic beverage licensee.  These administrative penalties may include a fine, a suspension of the alcohol license, or the permanent revocation of the alcohol license.

In addition to the decoy operations being conducted at the wineries the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department designed and implemented a class to educate staff at the wineries.  The class details alcohol laws that pertain to tasting rooms, signs of intoxication, how to properly check identification, and other topics that relate to the uniqueness of a tasting rooms daily operations.  This class is the only one of its kind in the State being taught to winery staff.  The Sheriff’s Department has currently educated over 150 employees of 48 different wineries in Santa Barbara County, and salutes the 10 wineries that cooperated and complied with their alcohol licensing by refusing to sell an alcoholic beverage to the minor during this operation.

The decoy operation is funded by a grant given to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant Assistance Program (GAP). The grant includes alcohol education to the businesses and inspections of the premises and was awarded in July of 2007.

-----

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Sgt. Alex Tipolt, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org