Today, the Santa Clara Police Department announced a significant boost in their efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community, thanks to a $75,068 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).
As reported by the Santa Clara PD, Police Chief Pat Nikolai acknowledged the importance of the grant in increasing protection for the youth and tackling crime at problem locations. Such locations often become breeding grounds for underage consumption of alcohol, as well as criminal activities, including illegal narcotics sales and possession.
This grant is not an isolated incident. It is part of a larger effort by the ABC to distribute nearly 50 grants to local law enforcement agencies throughout California via their Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program. The program, established in 1995, aims to strengthen the bond between ABC agents—who possess extensive knowledge of the state's alcoholic beverage laws—and local law enforcement agencies, thus improving the overall quality of life in neighborhoods plagued by alcohol-related harm.
Eric Hirata, ABC Director, emphasized the positive impact that the APP program has had on communities that have received grant funding. Hirata stated, "We’ve seen a real difference in the communities where the grant program’s resources have been invested." By pooling their expertise and resources, law enforcement officials and ABC agents are better equipped to prevent underage sales and access to alcohol, as well as to curb the dangers associated with intoxicated patrons and illegal solicitations.
It is worth noting the increasing recognition of the need to address alcohol-related harm on a broader scale, especially given its correlation with criminal activities. To illustrate the point: a 2019 study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that excessive alcohol use accounted for more than 95,000 deaths in the United States each year, with a particular emphasis on the prevalence of binge drinking among young adults aged 18-34.
Acknowledging the role of alcohol in criminal activities has led to the awareness that a multi-faceted, holistic approach is necessary to combat its negative effects on society – an approach that the APP program and its grant funding resources seem to embody. Furthermore, by combining the expertise of both ABC agents and law enforcement agencies, these collaborative measures stand as a vital tool in curbing underage drinking.
