Golden State Today

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) recently collaborated in an enforcement operation aimed at curbing underage drinking. During ABC’s statewide Shoulder Tap operation on March 9, 2024, in Isla Vista and Goleta, three individuals were cited for furnishing alcoholic beverages to minors.

Lieutenant Garrett Te Slaa from the Isla Vista Foot Patrol station highlighted the importance of such operations, stating, “There’s no question these efforts save lives, keep minors safe and families intact. The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the long partnership with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors in Santa Barbara County.”

The Shoulder Tap operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for individuals under the age of 21. If an adult agrees to buy alcohol for an underage person, they can face arrest and citation for furnishing alcohol to a minor, which carries a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.

ABC Director Joseph McCullough emphasized the goal of these operations, saying, “We conduct these operations to keep alcohol out of the hands of our youth. By preventing underage drinking we can increase the quality of life in our communities and reduce DUIs.”

The initiative is supported by statistics showing the increased risk young people under 21 face in alcohol-related crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 25 percent of fatal crashes involve underage drinking.

Funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA, this enforcement operation is part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and ensure the safety of communities across California.