Manhattan Beach Loses Top Bartender For Serving To A Minor In Police Department Sting Operation
One of the best bartenders of the past 15 years was fired recently because he had a brief lapse in judgement.
He was the victim of a sting operation conducted by the Manhattan Beach (CA) Police Department to check for bars serving alcohol to underage drinkers. A youthful drinker sat down, ordered a beer and the bartender poured it. Stationed at the other end of the bar were two undercover policemen, who then jumped into action.
Whenever this happens, the bartender is fined, the bar itself is fined a whopping $25,000 and placed on probation. One more violation and the business could lose its liquor license. The bar, in an effort to show it is taking the offense seriously, has no choice but to fire the bartender. No matter how good or popular he is, like this one, he’s out of a job.
The bartender in question is a veteran and, no question, should have known better. But he made a mistake. To be fined and fired for a single offense is too tough a penalty.
It occurred in one of Manhattan Beach’s finer establishments, not one of the more slammed, crazy ones. And it recalls the time another bartender met the same fate at a MB restaurant with a small bar. Two girls sat down and ordered drinks. They were, by all accounts, quite attractive. But they were under the age of 21, the bartender was busted and lost his job. (By the way, 21 is too old for a drinking age to start, but that’s a blog for another day.)
In both instances, the bartenders were nabbed during quiet times, which is when it’s easier to let down the guard.
So the message is clear: If you doubt it, check it out and card the patron. This sting operation, which happened in March, is the result of a grant that runs through June 30. So the bartenders, no matter the establishment, or the time, should be warned to check those i.d.’s. And not just in California, but everywhere.
Yet bartenders are not the only ones being targeted.
Police in MB and neighboring Hermosa Beach and El Segundo are sending minors to approach adults outside of liquor stores to buy alcohol for them; only about a dozen people have been cited but everyone should be on the alert.
It should be pretty obvious; minors asking adults to buy alcohol at ABC stores are fairly common in southern USA states that had ABC stores, but it’s almost unheard of at liquor stores in California.
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