Crime & Safety
7 Cited in MB for Buying Alcohol for Minors
The "shoulder tap" sting operation uses volunteer minors to approach 232 people outside of stores in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo. Grant funds cover the work.
Seven people who bought alcohol in Manhattan Beach for minors they knew were underage were cited in late January, said Manhattan Beach Police Sergeant Chris Vargas.
Volunteer minors supervised by police enabled officers in MB, Hermosa Beach and El Segundo to issue 13 total citations for furnishing alcohol to a minor. Volunteers for such "shoulder tap" sting operations come from a variety of community and youth organizations that have anti-drug and anti-alcohol messages, said Sgt. Vargas.
Four citations were issued in El Segundo and two in HB.
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Minors stood outside stores and asked 232 people to buy alcohol for them on Jan. 27. They told the adults their real ages, according to police.
The three police agencies received a $50,000 grant to reduce alcohol-related crimes. The money is being spent to train patrol officers and workers in stores or restaurants licensed to sell alcohol, as well as for conducting inspections and sting operations. The grant expires June 30, 2012.
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