REDDING – On December 18 and 20, 2019, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents joined officers from the Redding Police Department to conduct a shoulder tap and minor decoy operation in the areas of Redding, Anderson and Shasta County.

During the decoy operation, agents and officers watched closely as their under-21 decoy went in to 12 different businesses and attempted to purchase alcohol.   The sellers were all diligent in checking identification and refusing to sell alcohol to the decoy.

“That is the type of outcome we like to see.   Not one person allowed this decoy, who is under the age of 21, to purchase alcohol,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “ABC agents work with local law enforcement officers to conduct these operations to prevent underage drinking which can lead to a number of negative outcomes.”

During the shoulder tap operation, the underage decoy approached 21 people as they were entering stores and requested that they purchase alcohol for them.   The decoy presented cash, made it very clear he/she was under 21 and asked for assistance in getting the alcohol.  Of the 21 people propositioned, four were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

“Citizens propositioned by people too young to legally purchase alcohol must always say ‘no,’” said Barcelona.  “There are serious consequences if arrested for this offense, not to mention the consequences should the underage drinker get into an accident and hurt someone.”

The goal of these sweeps is to enforce compliance by businesses holding alcoholic beverage sale licenses and to deter persons from purchasing alcohol for those under 21 years of age.

The Redding Police Department and California ABC are thankful for the twelve businesses and 19 citizens who were compliant with this law and refused to furnish alcohol to someone under 21.

The Redding Police Department and California ABC remind businesses and citizens of the dangers and legal consequences of providing alcohol to minors.  These sweeps, frequently conducted in the area of Shasta County, have been successful in deterring this crime and have helped prevent those under 21 from having access to alcohol.