SCPD Receives $99K Collaborative Grant from State ABC

The Santa Cruz Police Department was notified this week that we have been awarded a $99,498 competetive grant from the California State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The grant funding will be used to ensure that alcohol licensees are complying with all laws pertaining to the sale of alcoholic beverages.  Additionally, the grant funding will be used to to educate students in local schools about the consequences of underage drinking and to educate local business owners and their staff on responsible beverage service practices.  This grant will be managed by the Santa Cruz Police Department, however the funding was applied for and will be used collaboratively by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office, Watsonville Police, Capitola Police, Scotts Valley Police and UCSC Police for prevention, education and enforcement activities throughout all jurisdictions of Santa Cruz County.

Shoulder Tap Operation

On Tuesday night the SCPD conducted a small-scale shoulder tap operation in the city of Santa Cruz. During this operations six businesses were visited. A decoy was placed in front of the businesses in an attempt to get patrons to purchase alcohol for the decoy. Three subjects were cited for furnishing alcohol to the decoy. One subject was arrested for public intoxication.

The subject that was arrested for public intoxication was arrested outside of a liquor store in the 100 block of Riverside Avenue. These operations are paid for by a grant from the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Shoulder Tap Alcohol Enforcement Operation

Last night the Santa Cruz Police Department conducted a shoulder-tap alcohol enforcement operation at eight different off-sale alcohol locations. These locations include grocery/drug stores, liquor stores etc. The department used a minor decoy to stand outside of the businesses to ask patrons to buy alcohol on the decoy's behalf. In all, five citations were given. Four of the citations were for furnishing alcohol to the minor decoy while one suspect was cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor, possession of a false ID and being a minor in possession of alcohol.

These operations are funded through a grant provided by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Minor Decoy/Underage Drinking Operation

Yesterday the Santa Cruz Police Department ran a minor decoy/underage drinking operation. Specifically, the department used a minor to ask people to purchase alcohol.  In all, 67 people were asked by the decoy (the decoy went to five separate alcohol establishments) and four ended up purchasing alcohol for the decoy. All were cited. In addition, one individual was cited for having an open alcoholic container in public. The department receives funding from a state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) grant for these operations.

Buyers Beware: Underage Alcohol Stings

Buyers Beware:

If you are approached outside a store by an underage person asking you to purchase alcohol for them…Beware!  It is quite possible that “teen” is working undercover with the Santa Cruz Police Department Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) officer.  In addition to refusing the request to buy alcohol, pick up the phone and alert the police to this activity.  If it is not our decoy, we want to know about it! 

Underage drinking is a significant problem in many communities.  Preventing underage access to alcohol is a major goal of the police department’s ABC program.  The Santa Cruz Police Department recently received a grant from the State that will pay for additional officer time to conduct compliance checks of alcohol sellers, and conduct stings such as the minor decoy.  Individuals caught providing alcohol to minors face a citation or jail for a misdemeanor offense.  

Fines are steep starting out with a $200 base fine and additional penalty assessments topping the $600 mark.  Over the past week, three individuals were caught up in the sting and cited for providing alcohol to a minor. 

We’re asking everyone to do their part and help us keep alcohol out of underage hands. 

SCPD Awarded State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Grant

The Santa Cruz Police Department received word today that we received a grant from the California State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). The grant will be used to ensure that local alcohol outlets are not selling to minors, to educate students in local schools about underage drinking and to work with local business owners on learning about fake IDs. The competitive grant focuses on prevention and education and will begin in the coming month.