San Bernardino County residents are reminded that underage drinking remains a serious public safety concern, and local law enforcement is taking action to protect youth and communities across the region. In recent operations, the Redlands Police Department, working alongside agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), cited three clerks for selling alcohol to minors, highlighting the ongoing efforts to keep teens safe and enforce alcohol laws locally.
The citations followed a Minor Decoy operation on January 22, during which minors, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, attempted to purchase alcohol at nine retail stores in Redlands. A previous operation, on October 12, 2025, involving 11 retail locations, resulted in one clerk being cited.
Clerks who sell to minors face serious consequences. For a first violation, penalties include a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service. In addition, ABC may take administrative action against the business’s alcohol license, which could include a fine, suspension, or permanent revocation.
“Conducting these operations allow us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” said Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber.
“Licensees should always check identification before selling alcohol. Our roadways and communities see improved safety when we prevent access to people not old enough to legally purchase alcohol,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy.
The stakes are significant. Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by law enforcement throughout California, since the 1980s. When first implemented, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50 percent. With routine enforcement, the rate has dropped below 10 percent in some cities. The California Supreme Court unanimously ruled in 1994 that the use of minor decoys is a valid legal tool to ensure licensees comply with the law.
Funding for the Redlands operations comes from a $42,648 grant awarded through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program, which the Redlands City Council accepted on September 16, 2025. Chief Tolber emphasized, “This is important to Redlands in order to increase protection for youth and to address crime at problem locations.”
The grant is one of nearly 50 awarded statewide to local law enforcement agencies. These grants strengthen enforcement, by combining the expertise of ABC agents with local police efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community.
“Our Alcohol Policing Partnership program can improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. The communities where the grant program’s resources have been invested have seen a real difference,” said Director Tupy.
Created in 1995, the APP program is designed to keep alcohol away from minors, prevent service to obviously intoxicated patrons, and combat other criminal activities such as illegal drug sales and possession.
Statistics show that people under 21 are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in a crash, with about 25 percent of fatal crashes involving underage drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
By preventing underage access to alcohol and combining enforcement with education, San Bernardino County authorities are not only reducing risks on local roadways but also protecting teens, supporting families, and creating safer neighborhoods. The Redlands operations offer a clear example of how collaboration between local police and ABC keeps communities safe, while reminding all residents that vigilance against underage drinking is a shared responsibility.
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About the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.