Cops in Shops

Undercover law enforcement officers working in off-sale locations looking for youth purchasing alcohol, adults purchasing alcohol for youth, and other alcohol law violations. 

What is this strategy?

Catalog of Prevention Strategies (Cops in Shops)

Cops in Shops Overview

When should I consider implementing this strategy?

• Youth are purchasing alcohol in off-sale liquor stores.
• Older youth are purchasing alcohol for underage youth.

How do I implement this strategy?

Key Activities for Implementation:

• Build relationships with local/county/state law enforcement and off-sale license holders.
• Educate/Train on “Cops in Shops” program.
• Build support for “Cops in Shops” program.
• Work with retailers, council, commission, etc. to pass policy requiring program.
• Should occur during high use times (4th of July, New Years, graduations, etc.).

Cops in Shops Update

Have others implemented this strategy?

Other Communities: 

• “Cops in Shops’ underage drinking enforcement kicks off on the jersey shore” (Article, New Jersey) 
• “229 people arrested this past summer at the Jersey Shore Underage Drinking Operation ‘Cops in Shops’” (Article/Posters, Hudson TV)