Booze Sting Ensnares 6 In Menlo Park

MENLO PARK, CA — Six people were arrested and cited for furnishing alcohol to minors earlier this week during an enforcement operation, Menlo Park police said.

The Peninsula agency conducted the operation Sunday in partnership with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control, according to police.

The Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation targets adults who purchase alcohol for minors.

“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,” police said in a news release.

“The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol.”

Anyone convicted of furnishing alcohol to a minor faces a minimum fine of $1,000 and 24 hours of community service.

“The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors,” police said.

“Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunk driving crashes than adults. Studies also show that when youth are able to access alcohol, the chance of criminal activities increase.

“According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death.”

This operation was funded by a grant from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control through the department’s Alcohol Partnership Program.