Four restaurants in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach were cited this weekend for allegedly serving alcohol to a minor, in a decoy sting conducted by the two cities’ police departments and agents from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control. The alleged restaurants include The Strand House, Sun & Moon Café, Saint Rocke and Wildflower Boston Pizza, according to a press release.
The Strand House did not comment on the matter and the other establishments could not immediately be reached.
A decoy was sent to 13 on-sale establishments, which include bars and restaurants, and seven off-sale establishments, which include liquor stores and grocery stores. While four on-sale restaurants were cited, none of the off-sale establishments sold alcohol to the decoy, according to the press release.
Manhattan Beach has 122 bars, restaurants and retail stores licensed to sell alcohol; Hermosa Beach has 97.
The individuals who sold the beverages to the minors face misdemeanor charges – a minimum fine of $250, or 24 hours of community service, said Sergeant Chris Vargas of the Manhattan Beach Police Department. The businesses could face suspension or revocation of their liquor licenses, he said.
Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo police departments received a $50,000 grant that extends to June 30, 2012, to reduce alcohol-related crimes throughout the cities. This includes providing training to personnel in stores or restaurants licensed to sell alcohol, training patrol officers and conducting inspections and sting operations to find out whether licensed establishments are following state laws and local operating permits, according to the release.
