Program to Stem Underage Drinking Wraps Up

By Lookout Staff

August 2 -- Police arrested 33 motorists for driving drunk at checkpoints, cited 27 of 219 take-home liquor and beer stores and checked 59 Santa Monica bars and restaurants over the last two years thanks to a grant to halt under-age drinking in Santa Monica.

Santa Monica was one of 36 cities from five states to receive the grant funded by the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Community Trials Initiative, which included education outreach.

The initiative stems teen access to alcohol by “enforcing underage drinking laws, promoting alcohol-free events and developing policies to keep teens safe and sober,” police said.

Police joined community members from Santa Monica Against Underage Drinking (SMAUD) -- which also helped with outreach and promoted safe, fun alternatives to drinking, such as a Battle of the Bands on the Third Street Promenade.

In addition to enforcement, police reached out to schools and businesses to educate them about prevention.

Vice officers and the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) provided alcohol awareness responsibility training to anyone who manages or works at stores, restaurants and bars that sell alcohol to help prevent underage drinking.

Police also talked to teens in schools on alcohol and drug abuse prevention and DUI awareness, informing them that alcohol use is the leading cause of injury and death among young people.

For more information, please contact the Santa Monica Police Department’s Vice Unit at 310-458-8458.