The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission Kicks Off “Operation Safe Spring”

May 6, 2009 - The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) which is overseen by State Treasurer Tim Cahill, has launched another successful round in its “Operation Safe Spring” program. The operation is an effective way to keep alcoholic beverages out of the hands of underage individuals at this potentially dangerous time of year.

This week ABCC Investigators conducted enforcement operations in Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Worcester, Dartmouth, New Bedford, and the Brighton area of Boston. They found 51 minors in possession, transporting or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages; 22 adults procuring alcohol for minors; and 2 individuals in possession of false identification.

76 cases of beer and 160 bottles of various types of alcoholic beverages were confiscated or prevented from delivery by ABCC Investigators. Based on the national standard for determining “binge drinking”, the confiscating of this alcohol prevented delivery to approximately 250 underage individuals. Two Liquor Stores were charged with selling alcoholic beverages to underage individuals.

“As the school year comes to a close and celebrations are held, some underage individuals try to obtain alcohol for those parties. That is very dangerous,” said Treasurer Cahill. “There is no doubt that the ABCC investigators are saving lives and preventing tragedies before they happen.”

Investigators conducted this program in 2006, 2007 and 2008. They found 1,050 minors in possession, transporting or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages; 520 adults procuring alcohol for minors; and 115 individuals with false identification. A total of 595 cases of beer and 325 bottles of alcoholic beverages were confiscated or prevented from delivery by ABCC Investigators.

Based on the national standard for determining “binge drinking”, the confiscating of this alcohol prevented delivery to approximately 7,000 underage individuals. This program results in the immediate prevention of underage individuals from obtaining alcohol as well as a long-term deterrence to bar and liquor store owners serving underage individuals.

“Operation Safe Spring” consists primarily of “Cops in Shops” operations that target specific licensees where the Investigation and Enforcement Division has developed information that indicates a serious problem with adults procuring alcoholic beverages for underage individuals as well as underage individuals purchasing alcoholic beverages through false identification. ABCC

Investigators, in cooperation with liquor storeowners, act as store clerks as well as conducting surveillance operations in liquor store parking lots.

In addition, this year the ABCC has re-launched its parent notification program. Under this program, ABCC Investigators telephone the parents of underage individuals directly from the liquor store parking lot in an attempt to keep parents informed and involved while preventing the underage individuals from developing a criminal record. Criminal complaints are applied for in the courts for the adults who purchased the alcohol.

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