LOS ANGELES, Calif.–As part of an effort to crack down on underage drinking during graduation season, 47 people were arrested over the weekend for allegedly providing alcohol to minors, while 26 store clerks were cited for selling alcohol to underage customers, police announced today.
Los Angeles police vice officers working with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control carried out minor-decoy and “shoulder-tap” operations at 235 markets, liquor and convenience stores near 91 area high schools. The effort was part of the 13th Annual Safe and Sober Graduation Operation.
In the “shoulder-tap” effort, 582 adults were approached and asked to purchase alcohol for minors.
According to police, 47 of the people approached agreed. The minor-decoy operations were carried out at 167 stores near schools, resulting in the 26 citations for selling to underage customers.
People convicted of furnishing minors with alcohol face a mandatory $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
