Local Law Enforcement Cite Two Suspects for Furnishing Alcohol to Minors

The City of Norwalk and Norwalk Sheriff’s Station cited two suspects on July 22, 2015, for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

 

The combined agencies conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation, targeting adults who purchase alcohol for persons under 21 years of age. As part of the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates their underage status and inability to purchase alcohol in some way during the interaction.

 

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. Penalties include a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

 

The goal of the operation is reduction of the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics show that minors generally have a higher rate of drunken driving crashes than adults. Studies also show the combination of alcohol and youth tends to increase criminal conduct. According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior, teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, can compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.

 

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Minor Decoy / Shoulder Tap Grant Project, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

For more information, please contact Joshua Yordt, Public Safety Manager, at        (562) 929-5919.