Police and ABC agents arrest six for furnishing alcohol to minors

Published on February 19, 2023

Menlo Park, Calif. — On February 19, 2023, Menlo Park police officers and agents of the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) arrested/issued six citations for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors. The operation was conducted in the city of Menlo Park. 

ABC agents and local law enforcement conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation which targets adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age.  Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. 

If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, Agents then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.  The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service. 

The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.  Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunk driving crashes than adults.  Studies also show that when youth are able to access alcohol, the chance of criminal activities increase.  According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death. Learn more about ABC programs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through the department’s Alcohol Partnership Program (APP). As part of the grant requirement, notification of results from these operations must be made public in the form of a press release.

ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

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Contact:

Officer Galen Fliege
gpfliege@menlopark.org
650-330-6300