DATE / TIME: Thursday, October 18, 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 Thursday, October 18, 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.
Two 18 year old minors, 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 21 and asked if they could purchase tobacco products for them. The minor’s contacted 6 adults and 4 offered to buy cigarettes for them. After the tobacco was furnished to the minors the adults were detained. Once they were positively identified they were issued citations for furnishing tobacco to minors. 3 of the individuals were released pending their court date and one subject was arrested for outstanding warrants.
This project is part of the California DOJ Tobacco Grant Project, funded by the California Healthcare, Research and Prevention Tax Act (Proposition 56).
Written by:
Sergeant Jon Edson
Pomona Police Department
