Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 3.H
Meeting Date: October 22, 2025
From: George Crum, Chief of Police
Title: ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution and authorize the Interim City Manager (or designee) to accept the ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant award and approve participation in the program for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
BACKGROUND:
Beginning October 1, 2025, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), sponsored by the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), anticipates awarding grants up to $30,000 to local law enforcement agencies to support enforcement and education efforts related to underage drinking and alcohol-related violations.
The grant operation period will be from October 1, 2025 (or upon federal spending authority, whichever is later) through August 31, 2026.
The goal of the Minor Decoy Program is to reduce the number of licensees who sell alcoholic beverages to minors. On April 4, 1994, the California Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision upholding the use of underage decoys by law enforcement officials. As a result, Section 25658(t) of the Business and Professions Code and Rule 141 of the California Code of Regulations were established to provide the legal requirements for law enforcement agencies when conducting a decoy operation.
The Shoulder Tap Program targets adults who furnish alcoholic beverages to minors. "Shoulder Tapping" refers to the practice used by minors to obtain alcohol from adults near off-sale retail outlets. In these operations, an underage decoy approaches an adult outside an alcohol outlet and requests that the adult purchase alcohol for them.
IMPACT (Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendencies) inspections focus on licensee education. Officers or deputies look for loitering, litter, graffiti, posted signs, lack of food service in restaurants, illegal weapons, or other violations. A checklist is used noting any violations observed, which is then provided to the licensee.
The licensee is given an opportunity to correct any problems, and follow-up visits are conducted to ensure compliance.
Holiday Enforcement consists of both undercover and high-profile enforcement operations targeting underage drinking, sales or furnishing to minors, sales to obviously intoxicated patrons, and other related violations. To help reduce youth-involved fatal and/or injury crashes, Holiday Enforcement operations coincide with NHTSNOTS AVOID Campaign dates-holidays historically associated with increased Driving Under the Influence (DUI) activity. These include Halloween, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July.
DISCUSSION:
The ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant will enhance the Police Department's ability to address alcohol-related violations that contribute to underage drinking, impaired driving, and public safety issues in the community. Participation in the grant program will provide funding to support operations such as decoy enforcement, licensee education, and targeted holiday enforcement.
The programs funded by this grant are consistent with the Department's mission to reduce alcohol-related incidents and improve traffic safety. These operations will not only help ensure compliance with state laws but also reduce risks to youth and the general public. The grant will allow the Department to dedicate personnel and resources toward prevention and enforcement without impacting the City's General Fund.
Approval of this grant aligns with Council's public safety priorities and demonstrates the City's ongoing commitment to proactive enforcement, community education, and reducing alcohol- related harm.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Police Department was awarded $25,000 in funding through the ABC-OTS Local Enforcement Grant. The funds will be used exclusively for enforcement operations, officer overtime, community education efforts, and related program costs.
There is no impact to the City's General Fund. Expenditures will be reimbursed through the grant on a cost-recovery basis, ensuring fiscal neutrality for the City.
DESCRIPTION GENERAL
LEDGER
ACCOUNT
CODES
PROJECT
CODE
AMOUNT ONE TIME or
ONGOING
2025-2026 ABC-OTS
Grant Revenue
247-300-310-
311-67XX-67XX G0XXXX $25,000 One-Time
2025-2026 ABC-OTS
Grant Expense
247-300-310-
311-8XXX-8XXX G0XXXX $25,000 One-Time
FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN:
Goal E: Safety
ATTACHMENTS:
1. State Standardized Agreement
2. ABC Award letter
3. Resolution