ATTORNEY GENERAL PRESS RELEASE:

POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Attorney General Anne Milgram today (Tuesday, June 23) announced a comprehensive law enforcement and public awareness effort by the Divisions of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Highway Traffic Safety to combat underage drinking in Jersey Shore resort areas this summer, including those in Cape May County.

“Alcohol can have devastating effects on today’s youth,” Attorney General Milgram said. “The collaborative effort of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety shows the state’s continued commitment to curbing underage drinking.”

Alcoholic Beverage Control Division Director Jerry Fischer, added, “This year, more towns than ever are joining our campaign to keep alcohol out of the hands of young people. It’s through a combination of public vigilance, parental involvement and law enforcement actions that we can strive to stop underage drinking before it begins.”

Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer stressed the potentially fatal consequences of underage drinking and driving. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death nationwide for young people between the ages of 15 and 20.

“In New Jersey, 30,448 individuals were arrested in 2007 for drunk driving, and 3,020 of those people charged with DWI were under the age of 21,” she said. “Young drivers face many risks every time they get behind the wheel. Adding alcohol to that already potentially deadly equation can only result in tragedies for teen drivers and all who share the road with them,” Fischer said.

This summer, 30 Shore municipalities are participating in the “Cops in Shops” program, with approximately $61,000 in funding provided by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

“Cops in Shops” is a program designed by the Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers. Under the program, local police officers work undercover in participating retail locations. Law enforcement officials either pose as store employees or are positioned outside the establishment to apprehend adults who attempt to purchase alcohol for underage drinkers.

The following towns are participating in the 2009 “Cops in Shops” summer program:

Atlantic County: Absecon, Egg Harbor Township, and Margate; Cape May County: Avalon, Cape May, Lower Township, Middle Township, North Wildwood, Sea Isle City, and Wildwood; Monmouth County: Belmar, Holmdel, Lake Como, Neptune, Ocean Township; Ocean County: Barnegat Township, Beach Haven, Harvey Cedars, Lakehurst, Lakewood, Lavallette Boro, Long Beach Township, Manchester Township, Ocean Township, Pt. Pleasant Beach, Pt. Pleasant Borough, Seaside Heights, Ship Bottom, Stafford Township, and Toms River.

In addition, 24 police departments, as well as the Gloucester County and Salem County Prosecutors’ Offices, are running year-round “Cops in Shops” programs beginning this summer, using funding provided by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Several of these towns will also participate in undercover operations:

Atlantic County: Atlantic City (C), Buena Borough (C/U); Bergen County: Closter Borough (C), Fair Lawn (C); Burlington County: Burlington Township (C/U), Evesham (C), and Medford (C); Cumberland County: Vineland (C/U) Essex County: Belleville (U), Newark (C) and West Orange (C); Gloucester County: Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office (C); Hudson County: Bayonne (C), Harrison (C/U), and Jersey City (U); Mercer County: Ewing (C) and Lawrence Township (C); Middlesex County: East Brunswick (C) and Metuchen (U); Monmouth County: Middletown (C) and Red Bank (C); Ocean County: Brick Township (C/U); Salem County: Salem County Prosecutor’s Office (C); Somerset County: Hillsborough (C); Union County: Westfield (C) Warren County: Greenwich Police Department (C).

(C) Denotes enforcement agencies that are participating in Cops in Shops and (U) denotes enforcement agencies participating in Undercover Operations. Those with (C/U) are participating in both.

Since its inception in 1996, more than 7,750 underage persons and adults have been arrested in New Jersey as a result of the “Cops in Shops” initiative. Underage drinkers face penalties that include arrest, a minimum fine of $500 and a loss of driver’s license for six months.

"The Century Council is pleased to continue our efforts with the New Jersey ABC, and we are honored that our ‘Cops in Shops’ program remains an integral part of this campaign,” said Ron Engle, director of traffic safety at the Century Council. “Every summer, the State of New Jersey sends a very clear message to youth under 21 – if you're too young to buy, don't even try.’’