Hemet Sheriff Station and Agents of ABC conducted Operation Shoulder Tap of Minor Decoy Catching Adults buying Alcoholic

Press Release:	Minor Decoy Operation
Agency:	Hemet Sheriff and Agents of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control
Station Area:	Hemet
Written Date:	April 25, 2019	Time:	12:00 P.M.
Incident Date:	April 24, 2019	Time:	4:00 P.M.
Incident Location:	Various Alcohol Vending Establishments in Valle Vista
Reporting Officer:	Sergeant James Burton
File Number(s):	Several

Details:

On Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at 4:00 PM, members of the Hemet Sheriff’s Station and Agents of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) , conducted a shoulder tap operation with minors under the age of 21 years of age. Under the program, a minor under direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is under age and cannot purchase the alcohol.

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, Deputies and Agents then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service. The operation took place in three retail licensees in the unincorporated area of Riverside County known as Valle Vista. During this operation four adults were arrested for furnishing/selling alcohol to minors 25658 (a) PB.

The operation is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunk driving crashes than adults. Studies also show the combination of alcohol and youth tend to increase chances of risky behavior and juvenile delinquency, compromise health and result in unintentional injury or death.

ABC in conjunction with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department is conducting the compliance checks statewide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Conducting shoulder tap operations are a tool of law enforcement to ensure that adults are complying with the law. Operations will continue within the jurisdiction of the Hemet / San Jacinto station.

Anyone with further information about this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Soto at the Hemet Station, 951-791-3400.