Arrests Made for Furnishing Alcohol to Minors
(Lake Arrowhead-Big Bear-San Bernardino County) – Agents from the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department arrested four suspects on Saturday, June 2, 2012, during an operation in and around the mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. The four adults were arrested for furnishing alcoholic beverages to a minor. One of the suspects was cited for driving on a suspended license. Another suspect was cited for driving without a license.
ABC agents conducted a program called a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation. 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, agents 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.
The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics show they generally have a higher rate of drunken driving crashes than adults. Studies also show the combination of alcohol and youth tends to increase criminal conduct. 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.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ABC is a Department of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.