SANTA CLARA – When no one is inclined to purchase alcohol for someone who is under 21 years of age, and who is standing in front of a store asking, while under the direct supervision of California ABC agents and Santa Clara police officers, that is a successful Shoulder Tap operation.

That happened on May 21, 2025. California ABC agents and Santa Clara police officers, were looking for adults who might agree to furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. The law enforcement officers and their underage volunteers conducted the operation at four locations in the City of Santa Clara. There were no arrests.

“That’s the goal.  To get 100 percent compliance.  To see all adults who are approached by someone under 21 and asked to purchase alcohol for him or her, simply refusing,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Thank you to the law enforcement officers and their volunteers for working to be sure Californians understand the law and the dangers of alcohol consumption by those underage.”

Shoulder Tap operations target adults who purchase alcohol for underage people. A minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer stands outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.  

If an adult agrees to purchase alcohol for the underage person, agents can arrest and cite them 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.

“Underage drinkingharms our community. Never buy alcohol for a minor,” said Santa Clara Police Chief Corey Morgan. 

“We perform these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth,” said ABC Chief Deputy Director Frank Robles. “By preventing underage drinking we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce drunk driving crashes.”

Statistics show minors have a higher rate of drunk driving crashes than adults. About 25 percent of alcohol-related crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can also increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.