EMERYVILLE — Officials cited two store clerks this week for selling alcohol to minors.

The Emeryville Police Department, along with agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), cited the pair on Wednesday, according to a Saturday news release from the police department.

The actions were the result of a Minor Decoy operation in which minors, under the direct supervision of department agents, attempted to purchase alcohol from five retail licensees in Emeryville.

Clerks who sell to minors face a minimum fine of $250, and 24 to 32 hours of community service for a first violation, according to the department.

“Conducting these operations allows us to help reduce underage drinking and increase public safety,” Chief Jeff Jennings said.

The ABC also will take administrative action against the alcoholic beverage license of the business where the alcohol was sold. That could include imposing a fine, suspending the license or permanently revoking the license.

“Businesses should always check IDs of youthful customers before selling alcohol,” ABC Director Joseph McCullough said. “Preventing access to those who are not old enough to legally purchase alcohol improves safety on our roadways and in our communities.”

Those 21 and younger have a higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers, and about 25% of fatal crashes involve underage drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Minor Decoy operations program have been conducted by local law enforcement throughout the state since the 1980s. When the program first began, the violation rate of retail establishments selling to minors was as high as 40 to 50%, according to the news release. When conducted on a routine basis, the rate has dropped to below 10% in some cities.

The California Supreme Court ruled in 1994 that the use of minor decoys is a valid legal tool of law enforcement to ensure that licensees comply with the law.