REDDING – On October 27, 2025, agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and officer from the Redding Police Department conducted a Shoulder Tap operation in the city of Redding.

A Shoulder Tap operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for someone under the age of 21. Under the direct supervision of law enforcement, decoys under the age of 21, stands outside of a liquor or convenience store and asks customers to buy them alcohol. The decoys demonstrate that they have the money but can’t purchase the alcohol themselves because they are under the age of 21.

Adults who agree to purchase alcohol for the 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. During the Shoulder Tap operation, 14 people were contacted by minors to purchase alcohol and one person was issued a citation for purchasing alcohol for a minor.

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).

“Politely decline when approached by someone under 21 who is asking you to purchase alcohol for them,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “By declining to purchase alcohol for someone under 21, you are doing your part to help keep us all safe.  And saving yourself at least a thousand dollars, if that person is working with ABC or local law enforcement and you’re cited.   Our thanks to California ABC agents and Redding PD for working to educated the public and for keeping us safer in our communities and out on the roads.”