National City police cite 5 for underage drinking part of statewide enforcement
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) teamed up with more than 50 law enforcement agencies across the state in an effort to crack down on underage drinking over the weekend.
The goal of Operation Shoulder Tap was to raise awareness of the dangers of underage drinking, focusing on adults who purchase alcohol for people under the age of 21.
“Each year, hundreds of officers from partner agencies across California join with our agents to draw awareness to the fact that it’s illegal to purchase alcohol for minors,” ABC Director Joseph McCullough said in a news release. “These operations will continue throughout the year to enhance public safety.”
The March 9 operation yielded 175 citations statewide, with five citations issued in National City.
Law enforcement across the state took part in Operation Shoulder Tap, a sting operation where a minor under law enforcement supervision stands outside liquor stores or convenience stores and ask customers to buy them alcohol.
“Underage drinking harms our community. Preventing the sale of alcohol to minors will help
to increase public safety and make our roads safer,” said National City Police Department
Chief of Police Alejandro Hernandez.
Anyone in violation can be arrested, cited, fined a minimum of $1,000 and/or ordered to perform community service.
Out of the 175 citations issued statewide, 159 people were cited for allegedly buying alcohol for minors, and 16 others were cited for driving under the influence, parole violations, or other infractions.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking.
The local operations were funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.
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