164 Citations in Statewide Shoulder Tap Underage Drinking Operation
Summary
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control partnered with 57 law enforcement agencies for a statewide Shoulder Tap operation on March 14, 2026. The operation targeted adults who purchase alcohol for individuals under 21 years of age. A total of 164 citations were issued, including 155 for furnishing alcohol to minors and at least 9 for open container violations or other infractions.
What changed
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control conducted a coordinated statewide Shoulder Tap operation on March 14, 2026, in partnership with 57 law enforcement agencies. The operation resulted in 164 total citations: 155 individuals were cited for allegedly furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors, and at least 9 others were cited for open container violations or other infractions. The operation targeted adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21, with minors supervised by law enforcement standing outside alcohol retailers to ask customers to make purchases on their behalf.
Retailers and adults who furnish alcohol to minors should be aware of the significant legal consequences documented by this enforcement effort. The stated penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor in California is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service. The operation, funded by ABC's Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA, demonstrates ongoing coordinated enforcement to reduce underage drinking and associated harms including vehicle crashes, which remain the leading cause of death for teens according to NHTSA data.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on ABC enforcement operations
Penalties
Minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service for furnishing alcohol to a minor
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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- 2026 Shoulder Tap Mar 18, 2026
ABC Statewide Shoulder Tap Decoy Operation Took Place March 14th
Statewide – The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) teamed up with 57 law enforcement agencies throughout the state in an operation that netted 164 citations on March 14, 2026.
Shoulder Tap operations focus on adults who purchase alcohol for people under the age of 21. The statewide effort’s goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and the potential legal repercussions on those who supply minors with alcohol.
“ABC’s coordinated efforts this weekend with California law enforcement agencies resulted in a major success in raising awareness about underage drinking,” said ABC Director Paul Tupy. “These partnerships play a critical role in improving public safety and keeping alcohol out of the hands of young people across the state.”
During a Shoulder Tap operation, minors supervised by law enforcement stand outside stores that sell alcohol and ask customers to make a purchase for them. The minor says they are underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. Adults who agree may be arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.
The purpose of the operation is to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage individuals. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. In 2023, 30% of young drivers 15 to 20 years old who were killed in crashes had BACs of .01 g/dL or higher.
The operation resulted in citations for 155 individuals who allegedly furnished alcoholic beverages to minors. At least nine other individuals were cited for being in possession of an open container or other infractions. The operation demonstrates the serious consequences for adults that buy alcohol for minors. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
The local operations were funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.
Contact
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Public Information Office
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (916) 419-2525
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