Full Notification

The Emeryville Police Department and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) conducted a Minor Shoulder Tap Operation.  The operation was conducted in the City of Emeryville.  During this operation, 6 locations were visited where minor decoys contacted 64 citizens asking them to purchase alcohol for them.  We are pleased to announce that no alcohol was purchased for the minor decoys during this operation. 
 
ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a Shoulder Tap operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for persons under the age of 21. A minor under the direct supervision of law enforcement stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The minor also indicates they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol themselves. 
 
“Underage drinking negatively impacts our community. Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors will help to increase public safety and make our roads safer,” said Chief Jennings.
 
If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for an underage person, they can be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
 
“We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “By preventing underage drinking, we can increase the quality of life in our communities, reduce DUIs, and prevent serious injuries on our roads.”
 
Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a much higher risk of being involved in a crash than older drivers. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
 
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.


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About the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the state of California charged with the regulation of alcoholic beverages. ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of California through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.