The San Diego County Sheriff‘s Department is partnering with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through a countywide grant to help prevent underage drinking and other crimes that may occur at ABC licensed establishments.

In July 2020, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department received an ABC grant of $100,000.  The money is being spent in the communities patrolled by the Sheriff’s Department to reduce alcohol related crimes and educate ABC licensed businesses.  The goal of the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership Program is to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to help make communities safer.  The cooperative efforts of the Sheriff’s Department and ABC are aimed at building positive working relationships between all stakeholders and increasing the safety of San Diego County.

On March 27, 2021, deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, along with agents from the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), and three minor decoys conducted both Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap Operations at various locations in the City of Santee.  The minor decoys tested retailers at six (6) locations, attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages inside their establishments. One location sold alcohol to the decoys.  The clerk who sold alcohol to the teen was arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor, which is a misdemeanor offense.

The Shoulder Tap operation was conducted in front of four (4) local retail liquor stores where a teenager asked adults to purchase the teen alcohol. Eleven (11) adults total were contacted, and two (2) purchased alcohol for the minor. The adults who purchased alcohol for the teens were also arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

ABC related operations such as Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap help reduce alcohol abuse and youth access to alcohol.  Operations like these will continue through June 2021.

Anyone with information on licensed liquor establishments providing alcohol to minors can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or by calling the Sheriff's Department’s non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.