The Turlock Police Department and Stanislaus Public Safety Agency are gearing up for a directed alcohol enforcement this Friday in an effort to minimize the threat to public safety generated by excessive drinking.

Police chose Friday for the enforcement because of several special events, including the California State University Stanislaus Warrior Day and Turlock High School Prom, which are scheduled on the same day. Law enforcement officials are concerned about the possibility of minors consuming alcohol, as well as increased alcohol consumption in general, and warned that violators “should expect arrests and citations knowing that we are taking a zero-tolerance stance to ensure the safety of our community.”

During the Warrior Day event, the Turlock Police Department in conjunction with the CSU Stanislaus Department of Public Safety will conduct undercover alcohol enforcement. While the event in and of itself usually causes few problems, law enforcement officials are concerned about the use of alcohol at spin-off parties which can create public safety concerns elsewhere in Turlock.

The Turlock Police Department will also conduct shoulder tap decoy operations at various location throughout the city. Shoulder tap operations consist of minor decoys asking adults to purchase alcohol. According to Sergeant Brett Aamodt of the Turlock Police Department, decoy operations have been very successful in discouraging people from providing alcohol to minors during the past nine months. In addition, police indicated that “anyone tempted to provide alcohol to minors should be aware that the minor may be a police decoy, which will result in a minimum $1,000 fine.” The shoulder tap operations are funded through grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

The county-wide DUI strike team will also be in Turlock Friday targeting drivers under the influence of alcohol. The strike team was created through grant assistance from California Office of Traffic Safety and is coordinated by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. Officers from agencies around the county, including the Modesto Police Department, Ceres Police Department and the California Highway Patrol will provide enhanced traffic enforcement with special emphasis on alcohol-related violations.