COSTA MESA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2021) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has been awarded a $52,198 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to address alcohol-related harm in the community.
The funds will be used to reduce the number of alcoholic beverage sales to minors, obviously intoxicated patrons, illegal solicitations of alcohol, and other criminal activities such as the sale and possession of illegal drugs.
On Nov. 12, 2021, CMPD conducted a “Shoulder Tap” operation, which targets individuals who purchase alcohol for minors. During the operation, officers visited six establishments in the City of Costa Mesa. During those visits, they contacted 12 individuals, including four subjects who were detained and eventually cited for purchasing alcohol for participants posing as underage citizens.
“This is important to the City of Costa Mesa in order to increase protection for youth and shut down problem locations that can reduce the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” said Chief Ron Lawrence.
The grant is one of over 50 awarded in California to local law enforcement agencies through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP).
The grant strengthens local law enforcement efforts by combining the resources of local police departments and ABC. ABC agents have expertise in alcoholic beverage laws and can help communities reduce alcohol-related harm.
“The program has helped improve safety in communities we serve,” said ABC Director Eric Hirata. “We’ve seen a real difference in the communities where the grant program resources have been invested.”
The APP program was created in 1995 to build partnerships between ABC and local law enforcement agencies. The program is designed to keep alcohol away from minors and bring penalties such as fines, suspensions or revocations against businesses that violate the law and cause harm to the community.
Since 1995, the APP program has distributed over $40 million in California to local law enforcement to combat alcohol-related harm.
ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
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Media Contact:
Roxi Fyad, Public Affairs Manager
Costa Mesa Police Department
[email protected]
