9 Stores Cited for Sales of Alcohol to Minors

Nearly one-third of 30 west San Fernando Valley liquor stores and mini-markets included in a weekend sweep by police were cited for selling alcohol to minors, authorities said Monday.

The sweep Saturday, which used teams of underage decoys, was the second in two months in the area and included stores in Reseda, Encino, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Winnetka.

“We’re going to continue this until we get to the point that it’s difficult to find anybody that wants to sell to minors,” said Los Angeles Police Capt. Valentino Paniccia of the West Valley Bureau. “Stores are allowing this to exist out of greed . . . and we can’t allow it to happen anymore.”

Nine of the 30 stores were issued citations, which can result in city fines of $500 to $1,000 and a separate action by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. During the earlier sweep, 10 of 36 stores sold alcohol to minors, police said. Subsequent violations can lead to suspension or even loss of a store’s right to sell alcohol.

Paniccia said the stores cited included White Oak Liquors, 17705 Vanowen St., Reseda; Dale’s Jr. Store, 16925 Vanowen St., Van Nuys; the Alta-Dena Dairy at Fallbrook Avenue and Saticoy Street, Woodland Hills; Mobil Mart, 5411 Reseda Blvd., and Chevron Food Mart, 19156 Ventura Blvd., both in Tarzana, and, in Encino, the Gourmet Pantry, 16948 Ventura Blvd.; Le Dome Liquor, 17460 Ventura Blvd.; Encino Park Liquor, 18001 Ventura Blvd., and Arco AM-PM Mini-Market, 18076 Ventura Blvd.