ABC DEBRIEFER COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES

Volume 17, Issue 1 July - September 2012

OPERATION ABC COORDINATORSSergeant II Lifernando GarciaOperations-Central and South Bureau

Sergeant II Steve MooreOperations-West and Valley Bureau

Operation ABCDetective Support and Vice Division

Los Angeles Police Department100 West 1st Street, Room 441Los Angeles, California 90012

(213) 486-0910(213) 486-0909 (fax)

For STAR training requests contactyour respective Geographic Vice Unit

or Operation ABC

Web Page: Search: Vice Division

www.LAPDOnline.org

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

OPERATION ABCDetective Support and Vice DivisionEETF Fines $12,000 / ABC Arrests 625

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Working to Share our Successes

Detective Rick Ishitani, DSVD Piracy Unit, and Kris Buckner, Investigative

Consultants (right), share investigative techniques to combat intellectual property crime

during the 2012/13 ABC GAP Conference. Motivated by financial gain, criminal enterprises will counterfeit anything; from cigarettes to trademark infringements on cowboy boots (left).

ENHANCING INVESTIGATIVE EXPERTISE:

OPERATION ABC RECEIVES 17TH CONSECUTIVE GRANT

he California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recently awarded the Los Angeles

thTPolice Department (LAPD) with its 17 consecutive Grant Assistance Program (GAP) grant. As in past years, the LAPD received the maximum amount of $100,000. The issuance of the above monies will allow the LAPD to continue its efforts in providing ABC enforcement and training through the many programs developed by Operation ABC. The mission of the GAP is to work with local law enforcement agencies to develop an effective, comprehensive and strategic approach to eliminating crime and public nuisance problems associated with problematic ABC outlets. The 2012/2013 GAP grants were issued to 42 agencies throughout California who will be utilizing $2 million dollars to combat alcohol-related crime on a statewide level.

At the opening of each fiscal grant year, the Department of ABC conducts an annual conference. The conference is designed to share past successes and provide participating agencies with enhanced training relating to ABC enforcement. This year's GAP conference was held in Garden Grove, California, on July 23, 2012. In an attempt to broaden the knowledge base of grant agencies, an in-depth class on intellectual property crime investigations was conducted by two subject matter experts. Los Angeles Police Department Detective Rick Ishitani, Detective Support and Vice Division (DSVD), and Kris Buckner from Investigative Consultants, shared their knowledge and provided insight into the complexities of intellectual property crime investigations. Detective Ishitani and Kris Buckner are nationally recognized experts in the field of intellectual property crimes and have both contributed greatly to curtailing this illegal activity in the Southern California area. The incorporation of intellectual property crime investigations into the conference curriculum will undoubtedly be of great benefit to participating individuals and broaden the impact law enforcement can have on curtailing this growing criminal enterprise.

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ABC Grant RenewalContinued from page 2

As Operation ABC personnel are considered subject matter experts in many areas of ABC enforcement, the Department of ABC requested that they provide training at the annual GAP conference in Garden Grove, California, on July 23, 2012.

Operation ABC personnel provided training on the use of the pseudo-intoxicated decoy program as an education resource and investigative technique employed to combat illegal alcoholic beverage operations. During the past two grants, Operation ABC has attempted to impact alcohol-related crime associated with illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation schemes. As a result, they have developed innovative techniques that can be used to infiltrate these illegal operations and established sound investigative processes thereby enhancing both criminal and administrative cases. Due to a lack of expertise, as well as the complexities involved in these investigations, many agencies simply overlook illegal solicitation schemes. By providing insight into effective enforcement strategies, Operation ABC is able to share our successes and impact alcohol-related crime on a statewide level.

fter a decade-long battle, the problems associated with the Dima Market (10609 Wilmington Avenue, ALos Angeles) have come to an end with the location's

closure. Following a determination by the Los Angeles City Zoning Administrator to revoke the property owner's ability to sell alcoholic beverages in conjunction with the Conditional Use Permit (CUP), the owner voluntarily closed his business in July 2012.

This location has been an ongoing source of problems for the surrounding community since early 2000, when public

WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE PROBLEMS: Without alcohol beverage sales, the owner of Dima’s Market felt he could no longer operate a profitable business and closed his doors.

Enhancing our Communities

ZONING ADMINISTRATION ABATES NEIGHBORHOOD PROBLEMS

complaints brought it to the Department's attention. Criminal activity associated with Dima's involves a myriad of Part I and II crimes, ranging from public intoxication to homicide. The escalating violence and street gang activity have been labeled

as “out-of-control” by affected community members. On September 14, 2010, 13 and 15 year-old minors were hit by gun fire from a drive-by shooting while standing in front of the location. Two days later the execution-style homicide of a market patron occurred on the sidewalk near the location. Members of notorious street

gangs use the location to traffic narcotics and the management has been the subject of a federal investigation for receiving illegal benefits from the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program.

Southeast Area, the DSVD Citywide Nuisance Abatement Unit (formally Community Problems Unit), and Operation ABC have been aggressively working the location in an attempt to curtail the problem associated with the premises. Numerous meetings, informal and formal training sessions have done little to remedy the Department's concern or abate the criminal activity. On June 26, 2012, a public zoning hearing was conducted and resulted in the revocation of the owner's ability to sell alcoholic beverages. Without the ability to sell alcoholic beverages, the owner felt his business was no longer viable and elected to close his doors. It is anticipated that the above closure will undoubtedly enhance the surrounding business and residential communities.

“Out-of-control!”

Operation ABC Provides Assistance at LA Art Walk Events uring the summer months, Operation ABC personnel have been regularly working the monthly Art Walk event to ensure that venders are in compliance with ABC regulations. The Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk is an event held in Dand around the Historic Cores Gallery Row on the evening of the second Thursday each month. Boundaries for this

ndpublic event are approximately 2 Street to 6th Street and Broadway to Main Street. Past events have revealed that many unaware venders have offered complimentary alcoholic beverages to event participants in violation of ABC licensing rules.

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A Look at What’s Happening . . .A LAROA OUND TOWNR

WORKING TO SAVE LIVES: An obviously intoxicated patron is administrated a breath test during on-site investigation at Dora’s Place. The patron was prevented from driving after he produced a blood/alcohol level of .25 percent.

PROBLEMS CONTINUE FOR FOOTHILL AREA NIGHTCLUB

At the request of the Operations-Central Bureau (OCB) command staff, Operation ABC has been supporting Central Area vice in their endeavor to ensure ABC issues do not interfere with the tranquility of the Art Walk event. To promote compliance, Operation ABC personnel have issued warnings and provided training when applicable regarding ABC licensing requirements. To date, minimal enforcement action has been deemed necessary due to the establishment of a working relationship between art venders and Department personnel.

The deployment of Operation ABC at the Art Walk event has also provided an opportunity for unit personnel to monitor potential problem locations within the downtown area. At the direction of the Central Area command staff, a number of potential problematic locations received extra attention to ensure they remained in compliance with ABC rules and regulations. Additionally, follow-up inspections were conducted at several locations that recently participated in the Standardized Training for Alcohol Retailers (STAR) program to ascertain the effectiveness of the training and to clarify any concerns on the part of the retailers. Operation ABC personnel will continue to support OCB with the Art Walk event to ensure ABC compliance and public safety.

Dora's Place (8220 Sunland Boulevard, Sun Valley) has become a haven for criminal activity and blight on the surrendering neighborhood. Problems associated with the irresponsible operation of this premise include acts of violence and a myriad of alcohol-related crimes that have a detrimental effect on community members living and working in the area of Sunland Boulevard and Crockett Street. These crimes include, but are not limited to, robberies, assaults, public drunkenness, the illegal solicitation of alcoholic beverages, loud music, and allegations of narcotic and substance abuse.

A majority of the illegal activity at Dora's Place appears to revolve around management's employment of female waitresses for the purpose of soliciting alcoholic beverages from male clientele. Although strictly prohibited by Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations, this illegal activity occurs covertly in a number of premises throughout the City. At first glance, this activity may appear benign; however, the illegal solicitation of alcoholic beverages leads to intemperance. It also has a direct connection to a myriad of other Part I and alcohol-related crimes and has been known to drain the financial resources of families living on limited incomes. Since April 2009, Dora's Place has been the subject of three lengthy illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation investigations, which have resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals. The premise is currently operating under an ABC stayed-revocation order and has two separate illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation cases pending.

In August 2012, DSVD personnel received information that The management of Dora's Place was continuing to employ waitresses for the purposes of soliciting alcoholic beverages despite past enforcement action. The Foothill Area Vice Unit was notified and began to investigate the allegations with the assistance of DSVD. On September 14, 2012, officers concluded a four-week investigation and facilitated the arrestof eight individuals involved in the solicitation scheme. Inaddition to uncovering a complex illegal alcoholic beveragesolicitation operation, undercover officers also observed thebartender serve an alcoholic beverage to an obviouslyintoxicated patron. The intoxicated individual subsequentlyproduced breath samples that revealed his blood/alcohollevel to be .25 percent.

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Continued . . .CoA OUND TOWNR

To augment the Department’s investigative resources, auditors from the California Employment Development Division (EDD) were requested to accompany vice personnel during the subsequent post-arrest premise inspection. An on-site inspection by EDD personnel determined that the owner was not adhering to State labor laws regarding employee payroll and was lacking adequate Workers' Compensation Insurance. The licensee was issued a $12,000 fine by EDD personnel and the location was ordered closed pending acquisition of Workers' Compensation Insurance.

The Citywide Nuisance Abatement Unit and Operation ABC personnel have been working closely with the Department of ABC to abate the problems associated with Dora's Place. The licensee has blocked all attempts at implementing corrective action. He has attempted to covertly transfer the ownership to avoid potential ABC sanctions. Potential buyers have thwarted the imposition of restrictive zoning conditions by disassociating existing operations with past management and pending ABC accusations have been delayed with administrative appeals. Despite the licensee's many legal obstructions, Operation ABC will continue to address the problems associated with Dora's Place in an attempt to find a long-term solution to the many community concerns.

Slot Machine InvestigationsIncrease in Operations-Valley Bureau

LAFD LENDS A HAND: Engine Company 39 helps the Van Nuys Vice Unit with removal of slot machines from the La Tapachulteca Market (left), while Devonshire Vice personnel (right) examine illegal slot machine at International Liquor.

uring the last several months, Operation ABC personnel have Dnoted a significant increase in the

number of illegal slot machines inside ABC licensed premises. The installation of illegal slot machines is typically area specific; suspects involved in the crime will usually place their machines inside small businesses that are within close proximity of one another. This allows weekly servicing of the machines in a relatively short amount of time. Should the illegal machines come to the

attention of the authorities, the involved suspects will simply move their operation to a new area. The cost of the machine is relatively inexpensive (approximately $300), which can be recouped within the first week of operation. During this reporting period, Operation ABC assisted Operations-Valley Bureau Vice Units with two illegal slot machine investigations.

During late June, 2012, the Van Nuys Area Vice Unit received information from concerned citizens that illegal slot machines were being operated at the La Tapachulteca Market (6569 Van Nuys Boulevard, Van Nuys). After determining management was running an illegal gaming house inside the premise, the vice unit secured a search warrant and executed a search of the location on July 12, 2012. The investigation revealed three illegal slot machines had been installed in a storage room. Customers with knowledge of the machines were allowed to gamble and consume alcoholic beverages on the unlicensed premise. Six individuals were taken into custody for their part in the illegal gaming venture. Three slots machines, containing a combined total of $1,300 were seized and held pending criminal prosecution and mandated destruction.

On July 19, 2012, Operation ABC assisted the Devonshire Area Vice Unit with a slot machine investigation at International Liquor (9250 Reseda Boulevard, Northridge). A routine check at the location on the previous day revealed that an illegal

(Continued page 5)

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SLOT MACHINE INVESTIGATIONSContinued from page 4

A Look at What’s Happening . . .A LAROA OUND TOWNR

CONTINUED NON-COMPLIANCE

slot machine had been installed in plain view inside the premise. After contacting Operation ABC for advice, an undercover operation using Devonshire Vice investigators was planned. The

investigation revealed that the licensee had knowledge of the illegal machine and was actively involved in the gaming operation through the payment of potential winnings. The slot machine was seized and determined to have been recently emptied of cash. Since the location is an off-sale ABC licensed premise, this matter will be referred to the Department of ABC for administrative action. Should the accusation be upheld, the licensee will lose his privileges to sell alcoholic beverages for a period of 15 to 20 days.

In an attempt to provide our stakeholders with

direct access to Operation ABC personnel,

inquiries can now be made

t h r o u g h t h e S T A R

webpage. The “ASK ABC”

link can be used for questions, comments, or

to report alcohol-related crimes.

ASK ABCASK ABC

A HARD LESSON TO LEARN: Police Officer Maricela Vargas, Foothill Area Vice Unit, issues citation to waitress involved in illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation scheme at the Turnaround Bar.

AT MISSION AREA BAR

Due to an increase in Part I crimes in and around the Turnaround Bar (9060 Woodman Avenue, Arleta), the Mission Area Vice Unit requested that Operation ABC ascertain if the premises was a contributing factor. In early August 2012, with the assistance of Foothill Area Vice, Operation ABC began a series of undercover investigations, which clearly established the bar staff was not adhering to many ABC regulations. Intoxicated patrons were allowed to loiter, the staff was serving alcoholic beverages after mandatory closing hours, and bartenders were openly soliciting drinks from male customers. Multiple visits involving 53 hours of investigative time determined Ithat the activity was much more than a few isolated incidents, which could be perceived as beyond the control of the bar staff.

On September 6, 2012, Operation ABC concluded their investigation and facilitated the arrest of three individuals. The bartender and two waitresses were taken into custody for soliciting alcoholic beverages in violation of ABC regulations. The investigation also revealed that the bartender was blatantly violating the premise's ABC condition that mandated the business close at 10:00 PM. In actuality, the bartender was locking entrances and turning out exterior lights to give the impression the business was closed, only to continue selling alcoholic beverages behind closed doors. Officers entered the location after 11:00 PM and found numerous patrons were openly consuming alcoholic beverages without concern for the officer's presence. The bartender admitted that due to the patronages level of intoxication, she could not prevent them from drinking and feared they would become combative if she attempted to close.

The Turnaround Bar is currently operating under a 3-year stayed ABC revocation order due to an illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation case made by Operation ABC in April 2011. If upheld during the administrative review process, the 2012 case will result in the imposition of the revocation, effectively causing the closure of this business. Originally licensedin 1990 as the Woodsman Bar, this location has an extensive history of ABC violations. The location's original ABC license was revoked in 2004 because of Illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation activity.

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Continued . . .CoA OUND TOWNR

+ NEW MANAGEMENT BRINGS NEW PROBLEMS INTO NORTH HOLLYWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD

During the early portion of July 2012, a routine undercover premise inspection at the El Merengue Bar (12126 Vanowen Street, North Hollywood) revealed that several waitresses were involved in the illegal solicitation of alcoholic beverages from male clientele. A follow-up check of the license status determined the location had recently been acquired by an individual with a history of promoting the illegal activity and the on-site manager had been arrested for similar violations. Working with the North Hollywood Area Vice Unit, Operation ABC formulated a plan to investigate the illegal activity. Past enforcement action involving potential employees necessitated the use of officers whose undercover status had not been compromised by contact with the above individuals. Officers assigned to Foothill and Topanga Area Vice readily accepted a request to assist in this investigation.

On August 10, 2012, officers concluded the six-week investigation that involved 94 hours of investigative time. Four individuals were arrested for their involvement in promoting the illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation scheme. The undercover personnel were so convincing in their roles that management knowingly allowed two female undercover officers to solicit drinks at the location.

Arrests at El Merengue were facilitated without compromising the undercover status of the involved officers. This allowed officers to revisit the location a week later to ascertain if management had taken steps to prevent the illegal activity from reoccurring. A follow-up visit conducted on August 17, 2012, determined that the activity was still pervasive and involved the same suspects from the August 10, 2012 investigation. Officers obtained additional violations and determined that management was still actively involved in the illegal activity. The subsequent violations will be incorporated into the investigation for the purpose of enhancing the ABC administrative accusation. The use of follow-up checks has become routine during illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation investigations and in many cases clearly establishes the disregard some licensees have for ABC regulations.

+ TOPANGA AREA PREMISES RECEIVES MULTI-AGENCY ATTENTION

On August 24, 2012, the Topanga Area Vice Unit and Operation ABC assisted the Department of ABC with an undercover operation at the Oasis Lounge (20050 Saticoy Street, Canoga Park), which resulted in five arrests. Department of ABC agents assigned to the Southern Division, Special Operations Unit (SOU) had been conducting undercover investigations at the Oasis Lounge for approximately two months. Agents had determined that in addition to illegal alcoholic beverage solicitation activity, several suspects were involved in narcotic trafficking inside the premises. In conjunction with their final on-site investigation, the Department of ABC requested LAPD assistance to facilitate arrests of the involved suspects and provide logistical support. The on-duty manager, several bartenders and a patron involved in the sales of narcotics were taken into custody without incident during the operation.

The Oasis Lounge has had an extensive history of problematic operations. Once again, a majority of the problems revolve around promoting the illegal solicitation of alcoholic beverages inside the premises. Additional alcohol-related crime includes the service of alcoholic beverages to obviously intoxicated patrons and minors, public drunkenness, and narcotic violations. Operation ABC will continue to operate the above location in an attempt to facilitate a long-term solution to the many problems associated with the Oasis Lounge.

+ STAR TRAINING - DEMANDS CONTINUE

The educational process through the Standardized Training for Alcohol Retailers (STAR) program continues to be in popular demand. During this reporting period, Operation ABC personnel conducted 28 STAR presentations with a total attention of

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Continued . . .CoA OUND TOWNR

of 884 retailers. Not only does the STAR program allow retailers to receive valuable ABC training from subject matter experts, but also allows Operation ABC to enhance the relationship between Department personnel and the ABC retail community. The STAR program has shown to be an extremely effective tool at reducing ABC violations through education and training while promoting a true Community Based Policing philosophy.

Year-to-date, 83 STAR presentations have been conducted on a Citywide basis, allowing 3,259 retailers a means of enhancing their ABC knowledge through training conducted by Operation ABC personnel. This represents a 15 percent increase in the number of presentations and a 28 percent increase in attendance when compared to our 2011 year-to-date statistics. Currently, the year-to-date number of STAR presentations are only five percent short of the total number of presentations conducted during 2011. Due the number of presentations currently scheduled for the remainder of this calendar year, it is anticipated that 2012 will become a record year regarding our educational efforts.

+ RESPONSIBLE ABC RETAILER PROGRAM

During this reporting period, Operation ABC personnel posted an additional 34 Responsible ABC Retailer placards at various on and off-sale ABC locations throughout the City. Participating retailers show their commitment toward responsible ABC beverage distribution by adhering to program guidelines which requires: STAR attendance, on-site premise inspection and an oral agreement between the retailer and the LAPD to dispense alcoholic beverages in a responsible manner. All retailers participating in the program receive distinctive Responsible ABC Retailer placards. Posting of these placards at ABC outlets identify the business as a responsible retailer who is working in partnership with the LAPD to reduce alcohol-related crime.

Many programs developed by Operation ABC have a tremendous benefit to the community by curtailing alcohol-related crime. The Responsible ABC Retailer program is one such vehicle used by Operation ABC to showcase the benefits of education, training, and to enhance our partnership with the ABC retail community. A major indicator of success is that retailers actively participating in the program have not been cited nor have they been the subject of a formal vice complaint investigation. In excess of 750 ABC retailers are currently participating in the Responsible ABC Retailer program on a Citywide basis.

+ ON-SITE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Operation ABC continues to utilize the pseudo-intoxicated decoy (Drunk Decoy) program to test servers' abilities to recognize objective symptoms of intoxication and reduce inappropriate alcohol beverage services. Since 2001, when Operation ABC incorporated the Drunk Decoy program into the ABC grant goals, we have seen a marked improvement in the abilities of servers to identify intoxicated patrons. Proper identification of an obviously intoxicated patron is the first step in preventing over-service and is critical in reducing driving under the influence (DUI)-related problems. Initially, the use of the Drunk Decoy program was limited to Operations-Valley Bureau (OVB). By restricting its usage to one Bureau, Operation ABC was able to accurately assess the potential benefits of the program. In 2001, our initial program compliance rate was 42 percent. At the end of 2007, the compliance rate in OVB improved to 80 percent and the program was implemented on a Citywide basis.

Compliance rate increases can be directly attributed to a combination of the Drunk Decoy program and regular training presentations aimed at educating business operators and their staff in proper methods of alcohol beverage service. During this reporting period, Operation ABC personnel conducted four decoy operations throughout the City with the inspection of 39 licensed premises. These inspections resulted in nine services (77 percent compliance rate). Locations failing the

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FOR MORE ARTICLES on ABC

enforcement topics, go to to

view downloadable electronic tips and

lapdonline.org

techniques from the ABC Debriefer. This edition’s

article, “Keg Sales Require Additional Safeguards,” is

available in its entirety. Enter ABC Debriefer into the

search engine to be linked with training topics.

back-bar inspectionTrends, tips, and useful information . . .

he “back-bar inspection” portion of our newsletter is designed to provide law enforcement personnel and our stakeholders with up-to-date information on alcohol-related crime trends, enforcement tips, and additional information Tthat may be useful in enhancing ABC investigations. Although this section is specifically written for the purpose of

increasing officer awareness and reducing alcohol-related crimes, it will also enlighten all readers as to what is new in terms of our response to irresponsible alcoholic beverage sales, service, and consumption.

any officers have experienced dispersing large parties only to discover abandoned beer kegs and have been unable to ascertain the origin of the alcoholic beverage product. It is only reasonable to assume that problems Massociated with underage possession and use of alcoholic beverages are greatly enhanced, as the quantity of the

beverage is increased. To assist in controlling these problems, officers are reminded that the sale of large quantities of beer, typically contained in aluminum keg containers, imposes additional legal requirements on the retailer. The purpose of these additional registration requirements is to create a means of tracking keg purchases in the event the keg ends up in the hands of underage individuals. Through a full understanding of the laws governing keg sales, officers will be able to protect our communities by reducing the likelihood that underage individuals will have the ability to purchase beer in large quantities.

By definition, a keg is a barrel having the capacity of 30-gallons. This size keg is extremely heavy (350 lbs.) and is not sold in California. The most frequently used keg container in California is a half barrel which contains 15.5 gallons, or approximately 160, 12-ounce beers. A quarter barrel, often referred to as a pony keg, contains 7.75 gallons of beer (approximately 80, 12-ounce beers). The smallest keg container contains five gallons and is sold as a sixth barrel. Due to metric conversion, imported beer is sold in containers of 13.2 gallons. Requirements pertaining to keg beer registration are delineated in Section 25659.5 of the Business and Professions Code (B&P). When dealing with keg registration, it is important to remember that this section only applies to beer keg containers of a six-gallon capacity or more.

Note: When purchasing beer in a keg container, the purchaser is only obtaining the beer product. To recover the beer from the keg requires tapping equipment, which is usually rented for an additional cost from the keg provider or is personally owned by the individual making the keg purchase.

Section 25659.5 (a) B&P requires that all retailers selling keg beer for consumption off the premise place an identification tag on all kegs at the time of sale and shall require the signing of a receipt by the by the purchaser.

(Continued page 9)

Keg Sales Require Additional SafeguardsA Closer Look at Keg Beer Requirements

compliance check received immediate on-site training regarding their role in preventing the over-service of alcohol and reducing DUI-related problems. Formal STAR training was also offered as a means of preventing other alcohol-related violations from occurring.

The Drunk Decoy program has been extremely well received by retailers and the public at large. A number of agencies throughout the state have emulated this program with similar results. As word of the positive benefits of the Drunk Decoy program grows, so does its usage. Recently, Operation ABC received inquiries from several East Coast agencies desirous of duplicating our educational efforts.

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back-bar inspectionContinued from page 8

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BY THE GALLON: Keg beer is sold in various sized containers (clockwise from the right) half barrel (15.5 gallons), one-quarter barrel (7.75 gallons), sixth barrel (5 gallons), and import keg (13.2 gallons). Beer Keg Registration Tag (right) identifies origin of keg and contains an ABC identification tag number that can also be used to trace the origin of the product.

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RECEIPT MAINTENANCE: ABC retailers are required to maintain copies of beer keg transactions for a period of six-months. Note the corresponding registration tag number in the upper right- hand corner.

tag number. Receipt books contain 50 duplicate receipts and are maintained by the retailer for a period of six months. Should the retailer fail to require the completion and signing of the receipt, he/she would be in violation of 25659.5 (b) B&P.

To assist officers in field investigations, the tag identification numbers can be traced through the Department of ABC to determine which ABC licensee was assigned specific lot numbers. Officers can contact their local ABC District Office for assistance in this endeavor. It is a misdemeanor to possess a keg containing beer with knowledge that the identification tag has been removed (Section 25659.5 (c) B&P).

Anhauser Busch distributors estimate that only five to eight percent of off-sale ABC retailers sell keg beer. Though this number is small, the potential problems that could occur with large quantities of beer ending up in the hands of minors are great. By holding retailers accountable to keg regulations, the likelihood that underage individuals will be able to purchase alcoholic beverages in large quantities will be greatly reduced.

information pertaining to the identification (name, address, date of birth, and valid identification) of the purchasermust be completed on the beer keg registration formprior to the sale of any keg of beer. The purchaser must sign the form, which also places the purchaser on noticeregarding penalties for removing keg identification tags. In the upper, right-hand corner of the receipt is a spaceto allow placement of the corresponding identification

Sequentially numbered beer keg identification tags and receipt books are supplied to the retailers by the Department of ABC at a cost of $21 for 100 identification tags and $9 per receipt book. The adhesive identification tags are five inches by three inches in size and yellow in color. Information recorded on the identification tag identifies the location and date of sale. The tag is affixed to the outside of each keg at the time of sale and must not be removed until after the keg is returned to the retailer. Retailers are prohibited from refunding any deposit on the return of a keg that does not have an identification tag.

ABC regulations also require retailers to document information that can be used to identify the keg purchaser. Specific

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Roughly seven percent of the 81,754 ABC licenses in the state are located within the City of Los Angeles. The total number of licensed premises conducting business within the City varies greatly on year-to-year basis. As population increases, so does the availability of ABC licenses. Approximately 200 new ABC licenses (100 on-sale and 100 off-sale), many destined for the City, are awarded yearly to the County of Los Angeles. Other factors that affect ABC license distribution include: transfers, volunteer surrenders and revocations.

In order to assist vice unit personnel and other interested parties in obtaining an overall perspective of ABC license distribution within the City of Los Angeles; Operation ABC has updated the Area license census count.

Citywide Distribution of ABC Locations

AREA LICENSED LOCATIONS SQUARE MILES

Van Nuys 246 17.6West Valley 292 33.5North Hollywood 336 22.5Foothill 159 46.6Devonshire 274 51.3Mission 171 25.6Topanga 260 33.3

Harbor 308 33.1th

77 Street 141 11.3Southeast 82 9.3Southwest 132 13.1

Central 353 4.9Hollenbeck 261 15.8Newton 157 9.1Northeast 363 29.7Rampart 220 5.6

Hollywood 385 14.2Pacific 395 26.0West Los Angeles 477 64.6Wilshire 250 11.7Olympic 471 6.2

Distribution by Geographic Bureau

Operations-Valley Bureau 1738 230.4Operations-West Bureau 1978 122.7Operations-South Bureau 744 66.8Operations-Central Bureau 1540 65.1

CITYWIDE TOTAL 5733 485

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENTAlcoholic Beverage Control Licensed Locations

September 2012