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Cops in Shops
Stopping minors from trying to buy alcohol has long been a problem for concerned retailers. Now there's a unique partnership between retailers and law enforcement that helps stop illegal underage alcohol purchases and prevent adults from purchasing for kids.
The Century Council's Cops in Shops® program brings law enforcement officials and retailers together in the fight against underage purchasing of beverage alcohol for minors. Plainclothes police officers pose in retail outlets to foil underage purchasers and adults who attempt to buy alcohol for youths. If caught, offenders find themselves talking to a police officer about losing their license, going to court, paying fines, and maybe going to jail.
Posters, outdoor billboards, and other public service messages warn youth and adults that the program has been implemented in their community. In addition to providing instruction manuals and training videos to officers and retailers, The Council's program includes a strong public awareness campaign. The risk of getting caught is always present.
Police departments in over 44 states around the country (from Santa Ana, California to New Bedford, Massachusetts) have implemented the program. College and university police departments have also found the Cops in Shops® program to be an effective tool in their fight to stop underage drinking on campus.
Program Success
A 2003 evaluation of underage drinking prevention projects conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found the Cops In Shops® program to be the only program evaluated that had an impact on reducing underage alcohol-related crashes among youth.
A 2000 survey of high school and college students in communities launching Cops In Shops® programs reported it was more likely someone under the age of 21 would get caught and arrested for purchasing alcohol following the launch of the program and students refrained from asking someone of legal age to purchase alcohol for them and also reported it was slightly more difficult to find someone over 21 willing to purchase alcohol for youth under 21.
A 1995-1996 survey of the Cops In Shops® program in seven states revealed law enforcement and retailers found the program to be effective in deterring the illegal purchase of alcohol by minors.
Feedback
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