Two Arrested in Redlands in Statewide Shoulder Tap Operation

Agents from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and Officers from the Redlands Police Department Police joined forces with law enforcement agencies throughout California in a Decoy Shoulder Tap Operation designed to help reduce youth access to alcohol. The task force operation was conducted on Saturday, March 15, and resulted in two arrests in Redlands. The operation was conducted statewide. Arrested were Anthony Richard Venegas, 35, of Hemet, and Manuel Jose Rodriguez, Jr., 45, of Forest Falls. Under the program, a minor under the direct supervision of a peace officer will stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol. The minor indicates in some way he or she is underage and cannot purchase the alcohol. If the adults agree to purchase alcohol for the minor, officers then arrest and cite them for furnishing alcohol to the minor. The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1000 fine and 24 hours of community service. The program is intended to reduce the availability of alcohol to minors. According to the American Medical Association, underage drinking can increase chances of risky sexual behavior and teen pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, compromise health, and result in unintentional injury and death. The Responsible Redlands initiative aims to curb the problems related to binge and underage drinking in Redlands in order to achieve a safer, healthier community. The campaign includes DUI checkpoints and saturation patrols to identify intoxicated drivers, party patrols to enforce the City’s Social Host Ordinance, decoy and shoulder tap operations to cite businesses and individuals who provide alcohol to underage persons and educational efforts for local businesses that serve alcohol. Responsible Redlands welcomes partnerships with alcohol retailers and establishments that serve alcohol.