“This is what ABC agents are after!  A one hundred percent compliance rate among all those asked by someone under 21 to purchase alcohol for them.  Bravo!  Thank you to California ABC agents and Emeryville police officers for conducting these operations to educate the public and to keep our youth and all of us safe from harm.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

EMERYVILLE – On July 25, 2024, the Emeryville Police Department announced the results of a recent shoulder tap operation.  The operation was conducted in Emeryville along with California Alcoholic Beverage Control agents.  During this operation, six locations were visited where minor decoys contacted 64 citizens asking them to purchase alcohol for them.  Not one citizen purchased alcohol for the minor decoys during this operation. 
 
ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted shoulder tap operations 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.”