DATE / TIME: Wednesday, November 14, 2018/ 5:00PM-10:00PM
LOCATION: Several tobacco licensed locations throughout Pomona.
CRIME: 308 (a)(1)(A)(i)PC, Furnish Tobacco To Minor
VICTIM: City of Pomona
UNIT: Patrol Division & Investigative Services Division
NARRATIVE:
On Wednesday, November 14, 2018, members of the Pomona Police Department participated in a Tobacco Minor Decoy (Shoulder Tap) Operation conducted throughout the City of Pomona. A concerned effort is being made to reduce the availability of tobacco to minors, and Shoulder Tap Operations are a known method to reduce the availability of tobacco to minors.
One 18 year old minor & one 17 year old minor, under the direct supervision of officers, were sent to various tobacco licensed stores throughout the city. The minor(s) waited outside the front door of each location and mentioned to patrons they were under the age of 21and asked if they could purchase tobacco products for them. The minor’s contacted 13 adults and 2 offered to buy cigarettes for them. After the tobacco was given to the minors the adults were detained. After they were positively identified they were issued citations for furnishing tobacco to minors. They were both released pending their court date.
This project is part of the California DOJ Tobacco Grant Project, funded by the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tax Act (Proposition 56).
The Pomona Police Department would also like to remind you the minimum legal age to possess tobacco products is 21.
Written by:
Sergeant Jon Edson
Pomona Police Department
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