City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 22, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.F
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Darrick Jacob, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of the 2026-27 Grant from California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for Santa Monica Police Department
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $92,673 from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) for the 2026-27 ABC Grant Program in the Police Department;
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant and all grant renewals; and
4. Authorize the budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
Summary
The Santa Monica Police Department (“SMPD”) has been awarded a California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) grant in the amount of $92,673.
Funds must be used by the end of the grant period, or by June 30, 2027. No local match is required. The grant aims to enhance community wellbeing by reducing alcohol-related crimes of all types and to stem the access of alcohol to youth in Santa Monica by using both education and enforcement strategies. The Department’s goal is to reduce underage drinking in the State as well as identify and target problematic ABC licensed establishments. Staff recommends that the Council accepts the 2026 – 27 ABC Grant 2 of 4
funds and authorizes the execution of an agreement with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a performance period of July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
Discussion
This ABC grant comes from the State of California Grant Assistance Program for the Alcoholic Policing Partnership Program. The City has previously received grant funding from this Program and other similar ABC grant programs in 2019, 2021 – 2022, and 2024. Similar to previous ABC grants, the 2026 ABC grant would fund the following overtime operations:
• Minor Decoy Operations – The Minor Decoy program is designed to educate and deter licensed locations from selling alcohol to minors. The program uses supervised individuals, under the age of 20, to attempt to purchase alcohol at licensed premises.
This program has proven to be an effective tool in promoting responsible practices in the sale of alcoholic beverages by licensees, reducing substance abuse, and enhancing community welfare by limiting underage access to alcohol. • Shoulder Tap Operations – The Shoulder Tap Program is used to detect and deter adults who furnish alcohol to minors. “Shoulder Tapping” refers to the practices used by minors to obtain alcohol from adult strangers near off-sale retail outlets. The Shoulder Tap program uses supervised individuals under the age of 20. During the operation the minor attempts to have an adult purchase alcohol for them at licensed ABC establishments.
• Trap Door Operations – The Trap Door program is used as a type of undercover enforcement tactic to prevent underage drinking. In this approach, officers work with businesses such as bars, clubs, and event venues to identify and stop individuals who attempt to purchase alcohol using fake or altered identification. • Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendencies (IMPACT) inspections – The primary goal is to educate licensees on alcohol related laws to help reduce alcohol-related crime in and around licensed premises. SMPD officers will conduct visits and inspections of licensed premises identifying areas of non-compliance.
There is follow-up to ensure any issues are addressed.
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• Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) Class – Staff will schedule and coordinate LEAD classes. If an ABC educator is not available, SMPD personnel will host and conduct the classes on their own.
• Roll Call Training – Sworn personnel will be provided quarterly training on ABC’s recommended enforcement and prevention methods and techniques.
The grant would require press releases to be issued at the conclusion of each Minor Decoy, Shoulder Tap, Trap Door, and IMPACT operation.
Environmental Review
The acceptance of federal grant funds is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that CEQA does not apply “where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” The grant funds would enhance public safety with enforcement and educational programs. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that the acceptance of federal grant funds is exempt from CEQA.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
7/23/24 (attachment A) Acceptance of ABC Grant Award in the amount of $80,229.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the 2026-27 ABC Grant Program.
FY 2026-27 Grant Budget Amendment
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account Number Amount Account Numbers Amount
20180002.404619 $92,673 20180002.555165 $4,050
20180002.555165.21071 $88,623
Total $95,673 Total $92,673
If renewals are awarded, budget adjustments will be included in subsequent year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
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Prepared By: Kiajett Charles, Administrative Analyst
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Staff Report - July 23, 2024 (Web Link)
B. ABC Grant Resolution