LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Police Department said its officers, along with agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, participated in a statewide underage drinking enforcement operation.

On May 22, the agencies took part in a statewide underage drinking enforcement operation, referred to as a “shoulder tap.”

A shoulder tap is a covert operation in which an undercover minor decoy volunteer solicits adults to purchase alcohol for them.

The minor decoy makes it clear to the adult that they are a minor and they have money to purchase the alcohol but cannot because of their age.

If an adult purchases the minor alcohol they are placed under arrest and either booked at the county jail or released on a citation at the scene.

During the operation, the team visited six separate businesses that sell alcohol. The minor decoy asked 28 adults to purchase alcohol for them.

At approximately 1:10 p.m. May 22, the minor decoy asked and was provided alcohol by Donald Johnson of Sunnyvale.

The team contacted Johnson and subsequently placed him under arrest for providing alcohol to a minor. Jonson was released with a citation at the scene.

The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service. The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors.

The Lakeport Police Department said it is committed to enforcing alcohol-related laws and keeping alcohol out of the possession of minors.

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership and was funded through grant funds the Lakeport Police Department was awarded through that program.