“With as much pre-publicity as there was announcing the upcoming statewide Shoulder Tap operation, it’s surprising that anyone would agree to purchase alcohol for an individual under 21 standing outside a store that sells alcohol. For those individuals who declined the request, great job! To the ABC agents and their local law enforcement partners, thank you for your service and making the public aware of the dangers associated with underage drinking.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SACRAMENTO – On March 17, 2025, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced the results of its one-day, statewide Shoulder Tap operation conducted on Saturday, March 15th. ABC agents teamed with 62 law enforcement agencies throughout the state, issuing 167 citations.
Shoulder Tap operations focus on adults who purchase alcohol for people under the age of 21. The statewide effort’s goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and the potential legal repercussions for those who supply minors with alcohol.
“ABC’s efforts this weekend alongside more than 60 California law enforcement agencies to bring awareness to underage drinking issues was an overwhelming success,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “These types of collaborative efforts increase public safety for communities in our state and also boost protections for California’s young people.”
During a Shoulder Tap operation, law enforcement volunteers under the age of 21 and supervised by agents, stand outside stores that sell alcohol and ask customers to make a purchase for them. The underage individuals state that they cannot purchase the alcohol themselves because they are not 21. Adults who purchase alcohol for someone under 21 may be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.
The purpose of the operation is to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage individuals. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. Of those crashes, 27% of drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 had a blood alcohol content of .01 or higher.
The operation resulted in citations for 162 individuals who allegedly furnished alcoholic beverages to minors. At least five other individuals were cited for driving under the influence or other infractions.
The operation demonstrates the serious consequences for adults that buy alcohol for minors. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
