The Sacramento Police Department arrested six suspects on December 9, 2021 for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. One suspect was also found to be in possession of a loaded firearm during the operation and arrested on multiple firearms violations. The operation was conducted in the north area of Sacramento.

Sacramento Police Officers worked with agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation, which holds accountable any adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age. Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of peace officers solicits adults outside of ABC-licensed establishments and asks patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way that he or she is underage and cannot purchase alcohol.

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, agents and police then cite and release them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics show that minors generally have a higher rate of drunken driving crashes than adults. According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

ABC protects communities through education, prevention, and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws.

ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.