Their effort is part of a statewide “Shoulder Tap” operation sponsored by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
On Saturday, March 14, undercover officers in Fortuna issued two citations for furnishing alcohol to a minor and arrested another person on warrant and drug charges. In Arcata, undercover officers issued four citations for furnishing alcohol to a minor.
The Statewide “Shoulder Tap” decoy operation involved nearly 100 California law enforcement agencies with the goal of reducing crime on the street by arresting adults who provide alcohol to minors. Those in violation of parole or with outstanding warrants were also targeted in the operation.
The operation took place on the weekend leading up to St. Patrick’s Day and was intended to send a clear message that it is illegal for adults to purchase or provide alcohol to minors.
The Decoy Shoulder Tap Program is an enforcement program that ABC and local law enforcement agencies use to detect and deter shoulder tap activity. During the program, a minor decoy, under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, solicits adults outside ABC licensed stores to buy alcohol. Any person seen furnishing alcohol to the minor decoy is arrested (either cited or booked) for furnishing alcohol to a minor.