Underage Drinking Prevention: SMPD Issues Citations in Alcohol Sting
The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) cited five individuals on March 15 for purchasing alcohol for minors during a targeted enforcement operation aimed at preventing underage drinking.
The undercover effort, known as a Shoulder Tap operation, was conducted through a program administered by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The operation places minors, under the direct supervision of law enforcement, outside liquor and convenience stores, where they ask adults to buy alcohol for them. The minors disclose their age and explicitly state that they are under 21 and cannot legally purchase alcohol.
If an adult agrees to buy alcohol for a minor, they can face criminal charges for furnishing alcohol to a minor. Under California law, the penalty includes a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
Law enforcement officials say the operation is part of a broader effort to prevent underage drinking and reduce alcohol-related incidents, particularly those involving drunk driving among young people.
“By reducing underage access to alcohol, we are working to improve public safety, lower DUI incidents, and protect our communities,” the SMPD said in a statement.
Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that individuals under 21 are at a significantly higher risk of being involved in fatal crashes compared to older drivers. Nationally, about 25% of fatal crashes involving underage drivers are linked to alcohol consumption.
The Santa Monica Police Department’s enforcement efforts are supported by a grant from the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program. Officials say similar operations will continue throughout the year to deter adults from illegally supplying alcohol to minors.
For more information on California’s alcohol laws and prevention efforts, visit the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) website.
