Buying Booze For Kids: ‘Shoulder Tap’ From Neighboring City Prompts Reminder Of What Can Happen

A Hemet police sting to nab adults willing to buy alcoholic beverages for underage drinkers is serving as a reminder to all residents.

On Tuesday, the "shoulder tap" operation occurred at five Hemet liquor and convenience stores licensed by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, according to Hemet police Cpl. Glen Brock.

He said a juvenile, acting as a decoy, was positioned outside each of the stores and -- under the watchful eye of officers nearby -- solicited customers going into the establishments, asking them to buy him beer.

Twenty-seven people were approached. Two agreed to make purchases for the youth, according to Brock.

"Both of the people who purchased alcohol for the minor were cited and released from the scene," he said. "The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service."

An ABC grant funded the operation.