On February 15, 2024, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSD) and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) carried out a joint operation in Vista, named Operation-Vista. The aim was to limit alcohol availability to minors using minor decoys. Under peace officer supervision, these decoys tried to buy alcohol at six retail locations. Two of these locations sold alcohol to the decoys.
A Shoulder Tap operation was also part of the operation. Here, a minor, supervised by a peace officer, asked adults to buy alcohol for them outside a local liquor store. Nine adults were approached, and one adult bought alcohol for the minor. The penalty for providing alcohol to a minor is a $1,000 minimum fine and 24 hours of community service.
The ABC regularly conducts these checks statewide to limit alcohol availability to minors. This is due to data showing that under-21s have a higher rate of drunk driving fatalities than adults. To combat underage drinking and related crimes, the SDSD collaborates with the ABC through the Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) grant.