Crime & Safety

Deputies Conduct 'Drunk Decoy' Operation in Encinitas and Solana Beach

Deputies pretend to be intoxicated to see if clerks would sell them alcohol.

Sherriff’s deputies conducted a drunk decoy operation in Encinitas and Solana Beach Friday night, visiting liquor stores while acting like they were intoxicated to see if the clerk would sell them alcohol, according to the sheriff’s department. Ten stores were visited, and eight sold the deputies alcohol.

Since the officers were merely acting drunk, no citations were given. Immediate on-site training with the clerk or manager was provided, according to the sheriff’s department, and follow-up training for all employees with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control was offered for a later date.

Deputies worked with an ABC investigator during the operation, which tested if a clerk would sell alcohol to someone displaying signs of being obviously intoxicated. Alcohol was sprayed on the deputies’ clothing before they entered each store, according to the sheriff’s department. The decoy deputies were trained by ABC personnel prior to the operation “to ensure consistency in performance while displaying the objective symptoms throughout the operation,” according to a press release.

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The drunk decoy operation was funded through a grant awarded by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. A list of the stores visited was not released. 


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