Deploy the teenager

One in four La Mesa residents approached recently by minor decoys seeking access to alcohol have been arrested after willingly providing booze to teenagers, La Mesa police are reporting.

Funded by a $21,668 state grant, local police and state Alcoholic Beverage Control officers recently conducted three eight-hour "shoulder tap" operations outside nine La Mesa liquor stores. While officers observe, a teenager is deployed to approach random patrons and ask for assistance in purchasing beer or liquor.

According to a report from Lt. Matt Nicholass, of 47 shoppers contacted outside 9 storefronts, 12 were willing to help the teens and were subsequently arrested for supplying alcohol to minors.

Police will continue to conduct periodic stings with funding from the grant through July of next year.