Full Notification

The West Covina Police Department was awarded $73,401 in state grant funding from California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to combat the illegal sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to minors. These competitive grants, $37.5 million in total, were distributed to 71 local entities throughout the state. They will fund operations, retailer training programs, the installation of signage, youth outreach, tobacco retail license inspections, training for sworn personnel, and other activities.

"Tobacco remains a very serious public health concern,” said Attorney General Becerra. “These grants will provide additional tools to law enforcement to help educate kids about the dangers of smoking. The grants will also help local communities enforce laws against selling tobacco products to minors. These grants are an important step toward reducing illegal sales and building a healthier California.”
Proposition 56, the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tobacco Tax Act of 2016, was approved by voters in November 2016. Effective April 2017, it raised the cigarette tax by $2.00 per pack, with an equivalent increase on other tobacco products. Prop. 56 specifically allocates $30 million of revenue to be distributed annually by the California Department of Justice to local law enforcement agencies for activities intended to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors. “The Police Department greatly appreciates the support from the City Council and City Manager by accepting this grant,” said Police Chief Marc Taylor. “It is our common goal to protect our children and educate them on the dangers of smoking.” During this 24-month grant period, new signs will be installed, and West Covina Police Officers will conduct the following:

 1.Tobacco retailer inspections
 2. Tobacco enforcement operations targeting licensed tobacco
retailers
 3. A tobacco retailer education class
 4.Community education in parks
 5.Enforcement operations targeting locations where minors are likely to be present