Police department gets grant to curb underage drinking

DOWNEY – The Downey Police Department has been awarded a $47,879 grant from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to help prevent alcohol sales to minors. 

Last year, Downey Police conducted more than 40 inspections at liquor stores, bars and restaurants, and documented “minor violations...at several locations.”

Police officers also performed more than 30 “shoulder tap” operations, in which an underage decoy tries to buy alcohol from a store clerk or by asking an adult customer. 

Eight store clerks and customers were cited for furnishing alcohol to minors. The citations were forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office where criminal charges were filed on all cases. 

“As a result of the Downey Police Department’s continuing effort to prevent alcohol sales to minors and mitigate the growing problems associated with alcohol sales and consumption, a Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control grant in the amount of $47,879 was applied for and awarded to the Downey Police Department for the 2015-16 fiscal year,” the department announced. “These funds will be used for education and training for local businesses and their employees regarding alcohol related laws and enforcement operations. 

“The Downey Police Department will soon host two LEADS (Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs) training classes to educate licensees on how they can be part of the solution in reducing alcohol related crimes. Licensed alcohol establishments in Downey will receive information by mail regarding these trainings.”

Citizens that know of stores selling alcohol to minors are encouraged to call the Downey Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team at (562) 904-2353, or for immediate response, the main police line at (562) 861-0771.