Menlo Park police recently cited four of nine clerks at stores and restaurants that sell alcohol within the city as part of a minor decoy operation to catch workers who sell alcohol to underaged youth.

There was one clerk cited each at BevMo! and Naomi Sushi, and two from The Refuge, according to Nicole Acker, spokesperson for the Menlo Park Police Department.

Under a grant program from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control, police worked with the state agency to crack down on minor alcohol sales and consumption. ABC is initiating compliance checks across California to deter businesses from violating alcohol sale policies.

The retail licenses will now face a minimum fine of $250 or up to 32 hours of community service. ABC will also take administrative action, which means the businesses could face suspension or revocation of their alcoholic beverage sale licenses.

Menlo Park police get $70K grant

The Menlo Park Police Department received over $70,000 in grant money to fight against alcohol-related harm, the department announced on Oct. 13.

The grant, rewarded by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control, will work to strengthen the connection between local first responders and statewide policy experts. Specifically, the program focuses on reducing alcohol consumption by minors, holding operators accountable and enforcing penalties for those who violate beverage sale policies.

"The program improves the quality of life in neighborhoods," said ABC Director Eric Hirata in a statement. "We've seen a real difference in the communities where the grant program resources have been invested."

—Bay City News Service and Almanac staff