Shoulder-Tap Operation Nets Three For Furnishing Alcohol to Minors

issued three citations for adults furnishing beers to minors during a shoulder tap operation on Friday, May 18.

The operation was cto reduce underage drinking in the Sonoma Valley area.

Nicknamed a "shoulder-tap" operation, the Department also uses underage decoys to test the will of local civilians; the decoys stand outside liquor stores and supermarkets and ask adults to purchase them alcohol.

On Friday two underage decoys, an 18-year-old and 19-year-old male and female asked several shoppers to buy them a 12-pack of Coors light.

A 54-year-old man was placed cited for purchasing alcohol for the pair. Police found he also had a bag with .4 grams of methamphetamine. He was charged with possession of methamphetamine and furnishing alcohol to a minor.

An 18-year-old was cited when he convinced his mother, 60, to buy beers for the youths – and himself. The boy, an El Verano resident, was cited for possession of methamphetamine, violating probation and furnishing alcohol to a minor. His mother was cited for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

Later in the day a 21-year-old Boyes Hot Springs resident was also cited for purchasing a 12-pack for the youths.