The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office inspected 71 businesses and issued 19 citations over the past year as part of a $75,000 state grant targeting underage drinking and alcohol sales to minors.
The Sheriff's Office released the final results Monday, July 27, wrapping up a yearlong enforcement effort funded by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control through its Alcohol Policing Partnership program. The grant was awarded in June 2025.
What deputies did
Sheriff's deputies and ABC personnel conducted 12 specialized operations during the grant period, according to the Sheriff's Office. The operations focused on identifying noncompliance at licensed retail businesses across San Mateo County, identifying adults who furnished alcohol to minors, and addressing violations before they led to larger public safety issues.
The APP program funds a range of enforcement strategies including undercover investigations, Minor Decoy operations (where an underage person attempts to buy alcohol under law enforcement supervision), Shoulder Tap operations, and retail compliance checks, according to the state ABC.
The grant wasn't just enforcement. The Sheriff's Office and ABC held 11 community education events focused on preventing underage drinking and the dangers of drinking and driving. The grant also paid for additional training for Sheriff's Office personnel on liquor laws and local ordinances.
What's next
The Sheriff's Office said it plans to reapply for the grant. The state ABC announced it is awarding nearly $3 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year to 43 law enforcement agencies statewide through the same program. Whether the Sheriff's Office has been selected for the new cycle has not been confirmed.
The APP program, created in 1995, is funded entirely by license fees from the alcoholic beverage industry, not by taxpayer dollars.
The Sheriff's Office had released a mid-grant progress update in February.
How to report concerns
Residents who want to report alcohol-related concerns can call the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line at 650-363-4911. For emergencies, call 911.
