On May 22, 2021, the Ontario Police Department conducted a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation. This grant funded operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for people less than 21 years of age. The Ontario Police Department regularly conducts compliance checks citywide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that young people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunken driving fatalities than the general adult population.
Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
During this operation, three locations were tested and two adult subjects were arrested for furnishing alcohol to minors. These subjects were released with notice to appear citations.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) through the department’s Grant Assistance Program. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. For more information on ABC Grant Activities, please contact Officer Rick Rees, ABC Grant Coordinator for the Ontario Police Department, (909)408-1660.