The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has been awarded a $3.73 million grant by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This grant is designed to tackle underage drinking, enforce compliance with alcohol laws, and minimize the risks associated with underage drinking.

The funding, which runs through September 2025, will distribute up to $40,000 to 27 local law enforcement agencies to support a range of education and enforcement programs aimed at improving public safety.

“ABC is grateful for the continued partnership and support from OTS and NHTSA. The resources provided to us through this grant will help reduce youth access to alcohol and increase safety in communities throughout California.”

-ABC Director Joseph McCullough

Local Impact and Participating Agencies

The grant will empower 27 local law enforcement agencies across California to implement programs designed to reduce underage drinking and alcohol-related harm. These agencies, which span the state from urban centers to smaller communities, will collaborate with ABC to carry out initiatives such as compliance checks, Minor Decoy and Shoulder Tap operations, and Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) training.

Complete List of Participating Law Enforcement Agencies

The grant will fund programs in collaboration with the following agencies:

• Alhambra Police Department
• Anaheim Police Department
• Arvin Police Department
• Blythe Police Department
• Buena Park Police Department
• Capitola Police Department
• Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office
• Corona Police Department
• Davis Police Department
• El Centro Police Department
• Emeryville Police Department
• Kings County Sheriff’s Office
• Lodi Police Department
• Manteca Police Department
• Menifee Police Department
• National City Police Department
• Oakland Police Department
• Pomona Police Department
• San Jose Police Department
• San Pablo Police Department
• Simi Valley Police Department
• South Lake Tahoe Police Department
• Stockton Police Department
• Sutter Creek Police Department
• Tulare Police Department
• Westminster Police Department
• Windsor Police Department

Initiatives Supported by the Grant

The grant supports a series of initiatives aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. Two cornerstone programs funded under this initiative are the Minor Decoy Program and the Shoulder Tap Program, both of which have demonstrated significant success in deterring underage alcohol access.

Minor Decoy Program

The Minor Decoy Program employs individuals under the age of 20 to test whether licensed establishments are compliant with state laws prohibiting alcohol sales to minors. The program, upheld by the California Supreme Court as a lawful enforcement strategy, has been instrumental in reducing illegal alcohol sales.

When the program began, approximately 50% of licensees in some communities sold alcohol to minors. Continuous enforcement efforts have driven that figure below 20% in many areas. Licensees who sell to minors face fines, license suspensions, and potential revocation for repeated violations.

The program also emphasizes proactive measures, such as notifying licensees and local media of enforcement activities, to foster community awareness and compliance.

Shoulder Tap Program

This enforcement effort targets adults who purchase alcohol for minors. Under the program, minor decoys, supervised by law enforcement, solicit adults outside liquor stores or similar establishments to purchase alcohol on their behalf. Offenders are cited or arrested for violating California’s Business and Professions Code.

Additional Grant-Funded Initiatives

In addition to these cornerstone initiatives, the grant will support other vital enforcement and educational programs.

• Fake Identification Enforcement
  Efforts include monitoring and confiscating fake IDs at licensed establishments to prevent underage individuals from accessing alcohol.
• Compliance Checks for Alcohol Delivery Services
  As online alcohol sales and deliveries grow, ABC will conduct compliance checks to ensure delivery services are properly verifying customer ages.
• TRACE Investigations
  The Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies (TRACE) program investigates incidents involving minors, such as traffic accidents and alcohol poisoning, to determine the source of the alcohol and hold violators accountable.
• IMPACT Inspections
  The Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendency (IMPACT) program involves routine inspections of licensed premises to ensure compliance and reduce alcohol-related crime.
• LEAD Training
  The Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) program offers free training for licensees and their staff, focusing on responsible alcohol sales practices and compliance with state laws.
• Special Event Enforcement
  ABC will provide oversight at events where alcohol is served to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent sales to minors.

Residents are encouraged to contact the ABC to learn more about these programs and how they protect California’s youth and promote safer communities.