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Police Practices: Operation Alert

by Captain Mark Willingham and Chief Jerry Cameron

POLICE PRACTICES: OPERATION ALERT

By

Captain Mark Willingham Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and Chief Jerry Cameron Fernandina Beach, Florida, Police Department

Graduation night, prom night, spring vacation -- these are special times for high school students. But how often have the media carried accounts of tragic accidents that resulted because of intoxification of minors during these special times? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is simply "too many."

In Fernandina Beach, FL, the police department and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco have combined education, public relations, and law enforcement into a cohesive effort to stop underage drinking. OPERATION ALERT (Alcohol--Law Enforcement/Retail Training) is a multi-faceted program that combines retail vendor training, student and parent awareness, and law enforcement action to reduce alcohol consumption by persons under 21 years of age. The program is divided into four phases.

In phase 1, a letter cosigned by the chief of police and the district commander for the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco is sent to retail licensees each spring. The letter reminds vendors of the upcoming vacation season and end-of-school-year activities. It asks for their help to control the sale of alcoholic beverages to underage persons and reminds them of the importance of checking identifications closely for forged or altered IDs. The letter also notes that the laws governing the sale of alcoholic beverages will be strictly enforced and that arrests and administrative charges will be made for those who fail to comply.

Phase 2 is a joint training session offered to all retailers and their employees. The topics covered include identifying fake IDs, the liability to retailers for selling to minors, and issues involving theft reduction and robbery protection.

In phase 3, all graduating seniors and their parents receive a letter reminding them not to let the celebration of graduation turn into a tragedy through alcohol consumption. The letter reminds the parents of the new house party law in Florida and the penalties involved. The house party law, which went into effect in October 1988, makes it a 2nd degree misdemeanor for an adult to use a residence as the place where alcohol and illegal drugs are made available and consumed by persons under 21 years of age. The misdemeanor carries a fine of $500 and/or 60 days in jail.

Phase 4 consists of a concerted law enforcement effort. Throughout the year, but especially during the spring and summer months, directed patrols are used to reduce the availability and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Underage volunteers, usually 17- to 18-year olds who have parental consent, are used to attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages from vendors who are the object of complaints from parents and school administrators. To witness the transaction and as a safety measure, a law enforcement officer, acting as a customer, is always in the establishment while the teen attempts to make a purchase. Employees who sell to minors are arrested on the spot by the officer, and the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco then initiates administrative action against the retailer's beverage license.

Special attention is also directed to prom night and graduation night. The location of parties and events are identified in advance, and intensified training is offered to employees at these locations. Substance-free parties are hosted by civic groups. In addition, high-profile law enforcement activities are scheduled which include visiting licensed retailers and places where students congregate.

The law enforcement problems created by celebrations and activities involving the unlawful consumption of alcoholic beverages are numerous, and often times deadly. However, OPERATION ALERT has been useful in attacking these problems. To date, no teenage fatalities due to intoxification have occurred in Fernandina Beach since the program began in 1985.


POLICE PRACTICES serves as an information source for unique or noteworthy methods, techniques, or operations of law enforcement agencies. Submissions should be no more than 750 words (3 pages, double spaced and typed) and should be directed to Kathy Sulewski, Managing Editor, FBI LAW ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN, Room 7262, 10th & Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20535.

 
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