`Shoulder Tap' Decoy Operation Planned Saturday Statewide

SAN DIEGO, CA — The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducted a statewide shoulder tap decoy operation Saturday in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies.

Saturday's operation was aimed at reducing youth access to alcohol and sending a message that adults should not purchase or supply alcohol to persons under the age of 21, according to the ABC.

"This collaborative effort between ABC and local law enforcement agencies highlights the importance of community responsibility in preventing youth access to alcohol," officials said. "With 58 local law enforcement agencies participating, this is the largest statewide shoulder tap operation ABC has run since 2019."

A shoulder tap operation is when underage individuals loiter in front of markets asking adults to buy them alcohol with the goal of making no arrests and serving no citations, meaning everyone turns the decoys down, according to the ABC.

"Always say `no' when minors solicit you for alcohol," the agency said.

In the past 10 statewide shoulder tap operations, ABC and law enforcement partners have cited more than 3,000 alleged violators.

"We're going statewide to curb underage drinking and hold accountable those who illegally provide alcohol to minors," the ABC said. "Join us in protecting California's youth and increasing public safety through awareness and enforcement."

The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff's Office did not confirm their involvement in the operation, saying they do not typically announce it ahead of time, but would release details after the operation is completed in the event citations are issued or arrests are made.

Local operations are funded by the ABC's Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety.

`Shoulder Tap' Decoy Operation Planned Saturday Statewide