Staff Report
In 2018, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a $100,000 grant from California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to battle alcohol-related crime in Isla Vista and Goleta.
The goal is to reduce the number of alcoholic beverage sales to minors, illegal solicitations and possession of alcohol, as well as other criminal activities involving alcohol consumption and abuse.
On Nov. 30, ABC agents and sheriff’s deputies used an undercover minor who asked 100 people at seven different locations to buy alcohol for him. Three people were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. Charges were also sought on two people for resisting, delaying, and obstructing an investigation and another for being a felon in possession of pepper spray.
On Dec. 1, agents and deputies used a minor decoy to enter 15 different stores that sell alcohol in Goleta and Isla Vista. Four sold alcohol to him.
Criminal charges were sought against the each of those employees for selling alcohol to a minor and referrals were sent the Ventura California Alcoholic Beverage Control Office for review for administrative actions against the businesses.
ABC is a department of the state’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
