Seven Isla Vista restaurants and liquor stores — Pizza My Heart, Keg N Bottle, Sorriso Italiano, Six Pack Shop, Freebirds, El Sitio, and Giovanni’s — were cited last Friday for selling alcohol to minors. All but Keg N Bottle were first time offenders and the consequences mean a license suspension and/or up to a $3,000 fine. Employees who sold the booze are personally charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor, which results in a minimum $1,000 fine and community service.
The decoys were selected for the sting on the “basis of an abundantly youthful appearance,” said Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) spokesperson Leslie Pond. “It’s a test, not a trick,” he said, adding an ABC agent was on-hand during the Sheriff’s operation to ensure ABC regulations were followed. The Sheriff’s Office recently received $50,000 grant from ABC to battle alcohol offenses in the IV area.