TEEN ASKS YOU FOR BOOZE? JUST SAY NO UNDER-AGE DECOYS USED IN LIQUOR STING.

Byline: Donna Huffaker Staff Writer

BURBANK - If you were smart, you just said no.

To any youthful-looking person who asked you to buy liquor, that is.

Burbank police on Thursday night were scheduled to stage an under-age liquor sales sting by having a decoy too young to buy alcohol ask people to buy him beer at liquor stores and convenience marts.

``Our objective is to stop alcohol from getting into the hands of under- age people. And a common way they get it is by asking strangers to buy it for them,'' said Lt. Edward Skvarna.

Pointing out that because a police decoy, who is age 18 to 20, tells a stranger up front that he is not old enough to buy alcohol himself, the police are not trying to ``entrap'' anyone, Skvarna said.

``When people hear about these stings, it might make them think twice before buying beer for teen-agers - and that could save lives,'' he said.

Burbank police try to hold alcohol stings about four times a year, with decoys attempting to buy booze in bars and liquor stores as well as trying to persuade strangers to buy alcohol for them in stores.

However, the most recent alcohol sting was in August 1999 and of the 37 people the decoy approached, only five agreed and purchased the alcohol for him, Skvarna said. Of the six liquor stores in which the decoy tried to buy alcohol, only one clerk sold it to him, he said.

In light of those results, Skvarna said, police will focus mainly on decoys approaching strangers to buy them alcohol.

Those who agree to buy that teen-age decoy booze are looking at a $2,700 fine, Skvarna said.

People arrested on suspicion of buying alcohol for a minor will be issued citations and then released, unless they have outstanding warrants, police said.