“A simple and polite ‘no’ is all it takes to prevent crimes and tragedies that underage drinking can lead to.  The shoulder tap operations conducted by California ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners work to educate the public and keep alcohol from those under 21.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

EMERYVILLE – On June 17, 2023, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents and Emeryville Police Department officers arrested 2 suspects on for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

ABC agents and Emeryville Police officers conducted a “shoulder tap” operation in which a person under the age of 21, and under the supervision of law enforcement officers, approaches people outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy alcohol for him/her. The underage person also indicates their age prevents them from purchasing the alcohol themselves.  

Adults who purchase alcohol for an underage person 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.