Startling results from underage drinking sting

It seems like each Summer the number of serious and fatal DUI accidents skyrocket here in the Valley. While some of these accidents involve repeat offenders an alarming number of drivers receiving DUIs are under the legal drinking age. Just this weekend a 19 year old man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after striking and killing a 46 year old woman standing outside of her own vehicle.

In an effort to curb easy access to alcohol by minors, Metro Police have been operating a sting known as Operation: Shoulder Tap. During the operation an undercover juvenile working with the police would approach a stranger and ask them to purchase liquor for him. An eye opening half of all people approached by the minor agreed to purchase alcohol for the teenager. Operation Shoulder Tap coordinator Diane Pidsosny says underage drinking is not only dangerous, but expensive, costing citizens $800 million a year. While some adults argue that juvenile drinking is a rite of passage, alcohol is one of the leading contributors to injury, death, and criminal behavior by juveniles. The police admit there is little they can do to eliminate underage drinking but I applaud their efforts to make the streets a safer place and for sending the message that juveniles and alcohol shouldn’t mix.

-Edward M Bernstein and Associates

Sting Operation Cracks Down on Underage Drinking
By Jamie Guirola
8NewsNow
August 12, 2011

One by one, an undercover juvenile working for Metro Police asked a complete stranger to buy him liquor. Half the people the minor came in contact with allegedly agreed and knowingly purchased alcohol for the 19-year-old. It’s part of a Metro sting called Operation: Shoulder Tap.

Read the rest of the article HERE