The Placer County Sheriff’s Office now has more resources in the fight against underage drinking and alcohol sales to minors, thanks to a grant from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

This growing problem was made apparent during a recent Sheriff’s Office decoy operation in the Lake Tahoe area, where 40 percent of the businesses visited by decoys sold alcohol to them.

The $40,000 grant will assist in providing awareness and training in alcohol-related crimes and their impact on schools, parents and students countywide. Anyone who sells or furnishes alcohol to a minor faces a fine of $250 and up to 24 hours of community service. If it is a business, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control can take administrative action on the business’ alcoholic beverage license, impose a fine on the business or both.

During the recent minor decoy operation, underage decoys were sent into 15 businesses to see if any of them would be sold alcohol. As a result, employees at Tahoe City Shell, Tahoe City Chevron, Lake View Wine and Spirits in Tahoe City, Lanza’s Restaurant in Tahoe Vista, Sandy’s Pub in Squaw Valley and The Slot Club in Squaw Valley received citations for selling alcohol to a minor. The Sheriff’s Office will aggressively continue these types of enforcement projects in the future.

The Sheriff’s Office will be offering Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs, or LEAD, classes throughout the year for retail licensees, their employees and applicants. The classes are a free, voluntary prevention and education program. Anyone interested in participating in the classes can call (530) 308-1552 or e-mail