Underage police decoys attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages at 29 stores in Thousand Oaks earlier this month.

None of the attempts was successful.

Generally when the Thousand Oaks Police Department Community Oriented Police and Problem Solving (COPPS) Unit conducts an alcohol and beverage control sting using underage adults to purchase alcoholic beverages, some retail clerks get in trouble.

But when the decoys attempted to make such purchases this time, all of the liquor store locations diligently checked identification, discovered the customer was under the age of 21 and refused to sell them any alcoholic beverages.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department COPPS Unit conducts periodic sting operations to ensure retailers are doing their part to help reduce the risk of underage drinking, said police Sgt. Don Aguilar.

“Any cashier who sells to an underage decoy receives a misdemeanor citation for a business and professions code violation,” he said.

 A report of the violation is sent to California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), and hearings are conducted to impose sanctions on the business. Sanctions range from suspension of the ABC license to revocation of the license or large fines, Aguilar said.

“The city of Thousand Oaks takes great pride in being one of the safest communities in the nation. Maintaining this distinction requires vigilant residents, responsible local businesses, visionary public safety policies set by City Council and a worldclass police department,” said Councilmember Jacqui Irwin.

The city has recently enacted several proactive measures to combat underage drinking through its social host ordinance, alcohol energy drink signage, community education and regular sting operations at local retailers, Irwin said.

The social host ordinance fines property owners $2,500 for hosting a party for underage drinkers. The alcohol energy drink signage requires stores that sell energy drinks, alcohol or combination energy-alcohol drinks to post warning signs.

“These efforts are obviously paying off,” Irwin said.