Police Cite Clerks, Servers for Selling Alcohol to Minors

Redlands Police cited clerks and servers at three local businesses for selling alcohol to minors during a minor decoy operation Nov. 14. During minor decoy operations underage volunteers under the direct supervision of officers attempt to purchase alcohol from retail licensees in the city. On this date, an underage volunteer attempted to purchase alcohol at 20 establishments. Employees at three businesses sold or served alcohol to the minor decoy. Citations were issued to 28-year-old Denise Quaresimin, of Yucaipa, at the 76 gas station, 1075 Parkford Drive; Jeffrey Alberts, 39, of Highland, at the Flamingo Bar, 338 Orange Street; and Tammi Garber, 42, of Riverside, at Citrone restaurant, 328 Orange Street. Those who sold to the minor decoy face a minimum fine of $250, and/or 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation. In addition, ABC (Alcohol Beverage Control) will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business. That may include a fine, a suspension of the license, or the permanent revocation of the license. The Redlands Police Department conducts compliance checks to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Minor Decoy operations have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. In 1994, the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously that use of underage decoys is a valid tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees are complying with the law. Minor Decoy operations are a component of the Redlands Police Department’s Responsible Redlands initiative. The Redlands Police Department, with the support of state agencies, including the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Office of Traffic Safety, the County of San Bernardino, and local businesses and community groups, launched the initiative in late August 2013 to focus on enforcing alcohol laws. The Responsible Redlands initiative aims to curb the problems related to binge and underage drinking in Redlands in order to achieve a safer, healthier community. The campaign includes DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to identify intoxicated drivers, party patrols to enforce the City’s Social Host Ordinance, decoy operations to cite businesses and individuals who provide alcohol to underage persons and educational efforts for local businesses that serve alcohol. Responsible Redlands welcomes partnerships with alcohol retailers and establishments that serve alcohol. The Responsible Redlands initiative addresses problems related to binge and underage drinking through ongoing strategic operations to enforce alcohol laws. It is a collaborative effort formed and led by the Redlands Police Department, supported by the Common Vision Coalition, local businesses and the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control District Office and State Office of Traffic Safety.