Underage decoy able to buy alcohol at 13 of 14 establishments in Sebastopol operation

Sebastopol police said an underage decoy was able to purchase alcohol at 13 of 14 establishments targeted during a recent operation aimed at curbing such sales.

The 18-year-old decoy used the identification of a 26-year-old during his attempts to purchase alcohol.

Employees at 11 of the 14 establishments asked for the identification. But they did not examine it closely, according to police.

Police said the results highlight the need for employees to undergo training in responsible beverage service. Only two of the 14 employees who sold alcohol to the 18-year-old had received such training.

No arrests were made during the operation, which was conducted Sunday. Instead, a Sebastopol police officer contacted the employee and manager to discuss best practices for verifying that patrons are of legal age when they attempt to purchase alcohol.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services provides training in responsible beverage service at no cost at various locations, including Sebastopol.

You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.