“Thanks to operations such as this, the public learns about the consequences of purchasing or furnishing alcohol to someone under 21.  These operations assist in keeping our young people and the public safe.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

OXNARD – On May 30, 2025, agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and officers from the Oxnard Police Department conducted a joint effort “Shoulder Tap” operation in the City of Oxnard.  The operation targets those who chose to buy alcohol for someone under the age of 21.  During the operation, agents, officers and an underage volunteer visited several locations where the volunteer asked patrons of a store to purchase alcohol for him/her because the law enforcement volunteer was under the age of 21.  Of the 11 adults who were contacted, only one purchased alcohol for the minor decoy and was arrested for a misdemeanor offense.

Adults who agree to purchase alcohol for the underage person can be arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $3,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

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. About 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This operation was funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership.