FOLSOM — There’s a program known as the Decoy Alcohol Purchase Operation. It and others like it are established for the express purpose of popping various business establishments for knowingly providing alcohol to minors. Under direct supervision of a peace officer, a minor will attempt to purchase alcohol from a licensed establishment — without using false identification of any kind.
Such was the set-up for what follows.
On June 11, two businesses bit the hook — the Chevron gas station at 1020 Riley Street and 76 Station & Convenience Store at 1024 E. Bidwell Street — resulting in the arrests of Michael Salto (19) and Sierra Edwards (30) respectively, both of Folsom.
“Our goal is to have zero violations when a minor tries to buy alcohol,” said Folsom PD (Special Investigations Unit) Sgt. Eric Heichlinger in a press release. He added that Folsom PD also partners with ABC to provide free training to licensed establishments on how to avoid such things in the future — namely, not selling alcohol to anyone under 21. Any employee who violates the rule is cited, saddled with a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
76 Gas Station at 1024 E. Bidwell Street — Folsom
Folsom PD’s involvement in the operation ties back to a unique community partnership, the Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF-SIG). SPF-SIG is a state-funded grant to reduce excessive drinking among 12-to-25-year-olds by shifting the focus to environmental-level strategies. Twelve communities, including Folsom, were selected to take part.
Read more:
Folsom PD press release (Nixle)
