The Valley Chronicle - Local sting operationng

Five adults arrested for selling alcohol to minors

■ Hemet Police Department / Contributed On Saturday, Mar. 9, the Hemet Police Department ROCS (Restoring Our Community Strategy) Team arrested five adults for furnishing alcohol to minors. One of those five adults was also arrested for allegedly driving a motor vehicle while under the influence. Two vehicles were towed and one of the businesses involved was found to be selling unlawful glassware, which was seized. These arrests were the result of a “shoulder tap” operation in which minors, under the direct supervision of ROCS Detectives, attempted to purchase alcohol from patrons visiting licensed liquor stores in the City of Hemet. During this operation, a total of 15 adults were contacted by the minor decoys at five different locations. This detail was part of a statewide operation in which more than 75 law enforcement agencies participated in cities throughout the state. This operation represents a continuous effort to reduce the access of alcohol to minors within the state. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Hemet Police Department are conducting these types of operations citywide to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. Statistics have shown that people under the age of 21 have a higher rate of drunk driving fatalities than the general adult population. Additionally, according to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase the chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromised health and result in unintentional injury and death.