Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety
February 16, 2024
For Immediate Release
Issued by: J.P. Pritchard-Community Engagment Liaison
[email protected]
Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety uses comprehensive approaches to eliminate alcohol-related crime and public nuisance in our city. Understanding that there is a direct link between illegal alcohol sales to minors by our local beverage stores and increased DUI traffic collisions, assault, public drunkenness, vandalism, and injury to minors, Rohnert Park DPS partners with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to increase enforcement in our area. Awarded a $57,000 grant from the ABC, Rohnert Park Public Safety Officers execute annual enforcement operations. These important operations serve as not only an educational opportunity but the penalties and citations issued have proven to force local businesses and their employees to change their problematic behavior. In addition, minors cited for illegal purchases with fake IDs are also held accountable.
Enforcement strategies include the “TrapDoor, Shoulder Tap and Minor Decoy” operations. As reported by the U.S. Inspector General, “the use of false IDs contributes significantly to underage alcohol access and consumption.” For that reason, the TrapDoor operation, which has store owners alert local law enforcement when a Fake ID is being used, is extremely important. During the contact with the minor, Rohnert Park DPS Public Safety Officers not only educate and cite the adolescent offender, but also gain important information about where the IDs are being sold.
Shoulder Tap operations, which target adult customers willing to sell to minors, help reduce people in the community who furnish alcoholic beverages to minors outside of an establishment. Using vetted volunteer minors (persons under the age of 21), Rohnert Park DPS operations focus on areas that have reportedly a high volume of underage sale activity.
Minor Decoy operations aim to expose licensed establishments that have servers or store clerks that violate the law by selling to minors regardless of age. Similar to the Shoulder tap operation, vetted volunteer minors are used to try and purchase alcohol. Once the alcohol is sold to the minor, law enforcement contacts the offender for citation and education. Fines can be up to $1,000 and 24 hours of community service are required for all violation types.
To date, Rohnert Park DPS has completed 11 successful enforcement operations that included education outreach, citations, and arrests. Funds provided by the ABC grant help finance extra costs required for staff overtime, equipment, and needed resources. Our agency will continue to increase the quality of life for our community, by holding the individuals and establishments responsible for underage beverage sales and purchase accountable. We value our annual partnership with Alcoholic Beverage Control and know that our collaboration is essential to increase safety for all who live, work or visit our city.
