APD Shoulder Tap Op Nets Kid-Booze Buyers – December 20, 2011
On Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, the Arcata Police Department conducted a special enforcement operation in the downtown area. The operation, commonly referred to as a “shoulder tap,” is when a minor requests an adult to purchase alcohol for them. The purpose of conducting this type of operation is to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors and reduce underage drinking.
The operation was conducted from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday night. Minor volunteers accompanied by Arcata Police Officers visited areas near establishments that sell alcohol. The minors approached patrons of the establishments and stated that they were under 21 and asked if the adult would purchase alcohol for them.
At several locations the patrons, after being approached by the minor volunteers, advised employees of the business that they had been solicited to purchase alcohol for a minor. The employees approached the minors and asked them to leave the area.
However, at two locations adults purchased alcohol for the minors. Those individuals were then contacted by officers and cited for providing alcohol to minors.
Underage alcohol consumption continues to be a serious problem and providing alcohol to a minor is a crime. The Arcata Police Department is committed to reducing underage drinking and encourages you to report underage drinking and those that are providing alcohol to minors.
