In a recent operation to curb the access of alcohol to minors, deputies from the San Diego County Sheriff's Office (SDSO), in conjunction with two underage decoys, carried out a 'Shoulder Tap' sting in the city of Encinitas. During the sting, adult patrons outside two local retail liquor stores were approached by a minor and asked to purchase alcohol on their behalf, even though they indicated they were not of legal age to buy it themselves. According to a report by the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, of the 34 adults contacted last Saturday, two proceeded to furnish alcohol to the minor.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to minimize underage drinking, which is linked to a higher incidence of drunken driving fatalities among the under-21 demographic than that of the general adult population. Amid these statewide compliance checks, the punishment for supplying minors with alcohol includes a minimum fine of $1,000 and 24 hours of community service. The SDSO has been bolstering these efforts through the Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program, which, since July 2024, has utilized a $75,000 APP grant to focus on reducing alcohol-related crimes and educating businesses licensed by ABC.

Collaboration between local law enforcement and the ABC is key to creating safer communities within San Diego County. The partnership is designed to enforce laws and foster positive relationships between stakeholders, including the licensed establishments and the communities they serve. These operations are crucial for community safety, and the SDSO encourages anyone with information about bars, restaurants, or stores selling alcohol to minors to contact Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or the Sheriff's non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200. Anonymous tips are welcome and can be invaluable in guiding law enforcement toward businesses that might be contributing to underage drinking.