"Cops In Shops" Program Targets Underage Drinking And Those Who Enable It Down The Shore
By David Madden
BELMAR, N.J. (CBS) -- School is out and that means 'Cops In Shops' is in action down the shore, targeting underage drinkers and the adults that might try to help them.
Some three dozen police departments are getting state grants that will pay for off duty officers to work as clerks in liquor stores and to keep an eye on parking lots where some people over 21 hand over booze to those underage.
Michael Halfacre, Director of New Jersey's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, says the program has had a pretty good track record.
"Over the past 18 years, there's been over 10,000 arrests made as a result of the 'Cops In Shops' program."
That includes over 40 people charged with various violations since Memorial Day weekend.
It's not just shore towns getting on board. A number of mainland towns considered gateway communities are also taking part.
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