By Lookout Staff

February 19, 2020 -- Two Santa Monica liquor outlets were cited for selling alcohol to a minor during a police decoy operation this month, officials said.

Blue Plate Taco, 1515 Ocean Avenue, and Jimmy’s Famous Tavern, 1733 Ocean Avenue, sold alcohol to the minor decoy last Thursday, police officials said.

The involved employee was issued a citation, said Lt. Joseph Cortez, the Police Department spokesperson.

The other four locations targeted in the operation "engaged in responsible sales of alcohol by asking for the decoy’s age, identification and refusing to sell alcohol upon determining the minor was under 21," Cortez said.

They were:

• Del Frisco’s, 1551 Ocean Avenue,
• Red O, 1541 Ocean Avenue,
• Lowes Hotel, 1700 Ocean Avenue, and
• Le Merigot Hotel, 1740 Ocean Avenue.

The minor decoy team used supervised individuals under the age of 20 who attempted to by alcohol at licensed premises, police said.

Any sale of alcohol to a minor decoy can result in criminal and administrative sanctions for the employee and the licensee, Cortez said.

"The Minor Decoy Program has proven to be an effective tool in promoting responsible practices in the sales of alcoholic beverages by licensees," program officials said.

The program has contributed to "reducing substance abuse and enhancing community welfare by limiting underage access to alcohol," officials said.

The project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership Program.