In a coordinated sting operation designed to make headway in the fight against underage drinking, the Chula Vista Police Department and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) teamed up to arrest two individuals accused of providing alcohol to minors. This joint effort included a 'Shoulder Tap' operation on Tuesday, where minors, under the watchful eyes of law enforcement, solicited customers outside liquor and convenience stores to buy them alcohol — while overtly stating their underage status.

The operation, according to the Chula Vista Police Department, led to the arrest and citation of two adults who now face a fine of at least $1,000 and a mandatory 24 hours of community service for furnishing alcohol to minors. Chief of Police Roxana Kennedy, pointedly remarked, “There's no excuse for providing alcohol to underage kids,” stressing the police department's ongoing commitment to such operations that aim to mitigate risks to the community and its youth.

Dismaying statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that nearly 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking. In response, ABC Director Eric Hirata said, as per the Chula Vista Police Department, “By preventing underage drinking we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs.” Hirata noted that the operations are part of an overall plan to curb alcohol access among youths, a demographic significantly more liable to be involved in traffic accidents when compared to their older counterparts.

A grant from the ABC Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program helped fund this proactive initiative. Such operations serve as boons to communities, aiming to reduce avoidable tragedies linked to alcohol consumption by minors.