Several Cited In Memorial Day Shoulder Tap Alcohol Operation: OC

ANAHEIM, CA — Decoys led four people to purchase alcohol for underage recipients over the holiday, police said. Anaheim Police issued four citations for those who bought alcohol for underage recipients at the start of Memorial Day weekend, authorities said Tuesday.

Friday's "shoulder tap" operation was conducted at six locations in the city by the department's vice unit, said Anaheim police Sgt. Daron Wyatt.

"Shoulder tap operations target retail establishments that have Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control licenses," Wyatt said. "Under the program ... decoys contact customers and ask them to purchase alcohol for them. The (decoys) are directed to reveal their age if asked."

The sale of alcohol to a person under the age of 21 is a criminal offense and the business is subject to administrative penalties by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, including the suspension or revocation of their license to sell alcoholic beverages.

The program began in 1994 when the state of California said minors could be used by law enforcement to check if stores were selling alcohol to minors. At the time, 50 percent of stores failed to check a minor's age, a spokesperson for the Alcoholic Beverage Control said.

Renee Schiavone Photo