The San Diego County Sheriff's Department joined forces with hundreds of law enforcement agencies for a Shoulder Tap operation across California on Saturday, March 14th.
Watch this 10News report on the operation, which as a collaboration between deputies and agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
"Shoulder Tap" is shorthand for teenagers hanging out in front of liquor or convenience stores and asking adult patrons entering the business to buy booze for them.
During the pitch, the decoy indicates that he or she is a minor and cannot purchase alcohol.
Undercover deputies and ABC agents wait nearby, ready to arrest people who buy or sell alcohol for the teens.
The 18-year-old volunteer decoys visited six stores in Santee and Lakeside. Saturday's operation resulted in one arrest/citation.
Buying or providing an alcohol to someone under 21 is against the law in California. If you are convicted, you could face up to six months in jail, a minimum fine of $1,000, and 24 hours of community service.
The goal of the operation is to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.
This operation was part of a $100,000 grant from ABC. The money will be used to fight alcohol-related crimes and educate ABC-licensed businesses to make communities safer.
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