Behind the Badge
A man and a woman were arrested Saturday night outside two different Garden Grove liquor stores after buying beer for a minor.
The minor was actually a 20-year-old police cadet decoy. He was part of an annual sting operation called Operation Shoulder Tap that the California Department of Alcohol Beverage Control sets up each spring with police departments across the state.
Both suspects were charged with misdemeanors and received citations to appear in court where their punishment will be decided. The law calls for a $1,000 fine and no less than 24 hours of community service.
A man suspected of buying alcohol for a minor is questioned by Garden Grove Police Officer Austin Laverty, right, outside of a liquor store.
Photo by Christine Cotter
“Overall, we consider this operation a success due to the low number of arrests made,” said Garden Grove Patrol Officer Jason Johnson. “Obviously people are more aware that purchasing alcohol for a minor is a serious matter.”
The police cadet “shoulder tapped” 12 people outside two different Garden Grove liquor stores throughout the night. Only two of them went for the bait.
In the first four years that Operation Shoulder Tap was in existence (this is the fifth), over 1,900 arrests were made. Here’s why that number in important: In 2013, 66 drivers between ages 15-20 were killed in DUI-related crashes and over 1,000 more were injured.
“Younger kids try to get a hold of alcohol and they don’t know how it’s going to affect their body,” Johnson says. “I don’t know what goes on in the mind of the people that (buy alcohol for minors). They might think it’s cool, but I don’t think they understand the ramifications of what could happen.”
Garden Grove Police Officer Danny Mihalik is reflected in the computer screen of a squad car during the department’s undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Garden Grove Police Officer Danny Mihalik, left and Officer Austin Laverty approach a suspect during Operation Shoulder Tap, an undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Garden Grove Police Officer Austin Laverty questions a man suspected of buying alcohol for a minor during Operation Shoulder Tap, an undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Garden Grove Police Officer Danny Mihalik, left and Officer Austin Laverty question a suspect during the department’s March 12 undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
A man suspected of buying alcohol for a minor is taken to the station by Garden Grove Police Officer Austin Laverty. The department conducted an undercover alcohol purchase sting called Operation Shoulder Tap. Photo by Christine Cotter
Garden Grove Police Officer Jason Johnson questions a woman suspected of buying alcohol for a minor during Operation Shoulder Tap, an undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Garden Grove Police Officer Jason Johnson takes a report on a woman suspected of buying alcohol for a minor during Operation Shoulder Tap, an undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Garden Grove Police Officer Jason Johnson takes a report during Operation Shoulder Tap, an undercover alcohol purchase sting.
Photo by Christine Cotter
