News headline from the Riverside Police Department:

The Riverside Police Department VICE Unit conducted two “Decoy” and “Shoulder Tap” operations in the City of Riverside on May 12th, and again on May 15th.

The “Decoy” operation was conducted to ensure businesses that sold alcohol followed proper procedures of checking identification to verify ages of customers before selling the alcohol.

The operation was conducted with minors under the supervision of Vice Detectives.  The minors were sent into “On-sale” and “Off-Sale” establishments and attempted to purchase alcohol from clerks or servers.  The minors are directed to show their valid California driver’s license, California Identification card, or tell the clerk their age if asked by the clerk.

A total of 18 locations were checked for compliance and all businesses successfully passed.

The “Shoulder Tap” operation was conducted to address adults who purchase alcohol for minors.

This operation was conducted with minors under the supervision of Vice Detectives.  The minors were placed in front of “Off-Sale” establishments and would solicit customers to purchase alcohol for them.  The minors are instructed to make clear to the adult that they are too young to buy alcohol themselves.

During the operation, nine customers were contacted and three of them purchased alcohol for the minors.  The three customers who purchased alcohol were arrested, cited and released.

Adults arrested for purchasing alcohol for minors could face up to a $3,800 fine, up to 36 months of probation, jail time and/or community service.

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Minor Decoy/Shoulder Tap Grant Project, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Filed under Headline

Friday, May 18, 2012

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