Novato PD Holds Holiday Enforcement Op

NOVATO, CA — An enforcement operation on Wednesday targeting alcohol-related crimes resulted in no arrests or citations but improved visibility and fulfilled a state funding requirement, the Novato Police Department said in a statement.

Officers visited Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensed businesses and checked on compliance with alcoholic beverage laws to reduce alcohol service to obviously intoxicated patrons and underage youth, police said.

“There are too many alcohol related DUI's, traffic accidents and incidents that result with injury or death. With providing education, prevention, and enforcement efforts, we hope to prevent these types of tragedies from occurring,” Sgt. Melissa Hinkle said in a statement.

Conducting the Major Holiday Enforcement Operation was important from a visibility standpoint and is a requirement for securing state funding for initiatives that aim to reduce alcohol-related crimes, Hinkle told Patch.

“It’s about visibility,” Hinkle said.

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's Alcohol Policing Partnership.

“According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), underage drinking is a significant problem in this country and on college campuses despite collective efforts to address them,” the NPD said in a statement.

More information on prevention strategies can be found on NIAAA’s website or College Drinking.

“The Novato Police Department has partnered with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to protect communities through education and by administering prevention and enforcement programs designed to increase compliance with California’s alcoholic beverage laws,” the statement said.

“ABC off-sale licensees and their employees are encouraged to take ABC’s online Licensing Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) training classes to help achieve higher compliance with alcoholic beverage laws. You can now take the training online.”

To learn more about ABC programs that help protect communities, prevent alcohol-related harm, and save lives visit. ABC Enforcement Programs or ABC Education Programs. ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.