Extra

A decoy shoulder tap operation by the California Alcoholic Beverage Control Saturday cited 22 people in Berkeley for various violations. 

Altogether 109 people were booked in the Bay Area, of which 81were cited for providing alcohol to a minor and 28 individuals were arrested for other violations including illegal narcotics, public drunkenness, open containers and parole violations. 

The Berkeley Police Department cited 16 people—seven for giving alcohol to a minor, two for open containers and seven for false ID’s. 

UC Berkeley police cited six people, four of whom were cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor, one for open container and one for possession of marijuana. 

Ten people were cited by Oakland police for furnishing alcohol to a minor. 

ABC officers joined forces with 15 law enforcement agencies in several counties to limit alcohol access to youth and prevent alcohol-related problems during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday. 

The shoulder tap program targets adults who buy alcohol for minors. 

Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer stands outside a liquor or convenience store and asks patrons to buy them alcohol.  

According to an ABC press release, “the minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.”  

If adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, investigators then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor.  

The penalty for furnishing alcohol to someone under age 21 is a fine ($1000 minimum) and 24 hours of community service.