San Diego County CA— The Sheriff’s Department’s Holiday Watch is underway. Thanksgiving Eve, a zero tolerance drunk in public operation was held in Encinitas, Del Mar and Solana Beach.
28 people were arrested during the sweep on November 26th from 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. Some of the violations include outstanding warrants, possession of a false identification by a minor, drunk in public, public nudity, possession of open containers of alcohol and possession of a controlled substance. Those arrested were taken to Vista Jail where they spent 8 to 12 hours in a sobering cell.

Drunk in Public Sweep from OsideNews on Vimeo.
30 deputies and agents from the California Department of Alcoholic and Beverage Control or ABC took part in the sweep around liquor businesses along Coast Highway 101. They also checked if local bars were serving to people who already had too much to drink.
It is against the law for bars or restaurants to over serve alcohol to intoxicated customers. Those who violate the law face fines of up to $3,000 dollars, as well as a suspension or revocation of the alcohol license.

This operation is part of the Sheriff’s Department’s Holiday Watch program starting Thanksgiving week through the first week of January. It was made possible by a $100,000 grant from ABC to help fight alcohol related crimes and educate ABC-licensed businesses.
The goal of the ABC Grant Assistance Program is to partner with local law enforcement agencies to help make communities safer. Operations like these will continue through June 2015.
Lieutenant Rich Williams of the Sheriff’s Department says it’s all about safety. “Every drunk person that wanders out of a bar without a sober driver to get them home safely, runs the risk of being involved in a collision or becoming a victim of a crime. Sometimes they walk out into traffic, walk out in front of trains or they are involved in fights. These are the things we want to prevent to ensure a safe holiday season.”
Another goal of the operation is reduce alcohol access to minors. To report underage drinking 24 hours per day, call Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or the Sheriff’s Department non-emergency line at (858) 565-5200.