OCEANSIDE, CA- Oceanside Police Department announces they have been awarded a $39,298 grant from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community.

“This is important for the City of Oceanside to enhance youth safety and address criminal activity in problem areas,” said Oceanside Police Chief Taurino Valdovinos.

The grant is one of nearly 50 awarded in California to local law enforcement agencies through ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) program. These grants strengthen local law enforcement efforts by combining their efforts with ABC agents who have expertise in alcoholic beverage laws to help reduce alcohol-related harm within their community.

“Our Alcohol Policing Partnership program can improve the quality of life in neighborhoods,” said ABC Acting Director Frank Robles. “The communities where the grant program’s resources have been invested have seen a real difference. "The APP program was created in 1995 to strengthen partnerships between ABC and local law enforcement agencies. The program is designed to keep alcohol away from minors and prevent harm to the community.

The funds will be used to help prevent alcoholic beverage sales to minors and obviously intoxicated patrons, illegal solicitations of alcohol, and other criminal activities such as the sale and possession of illegal drugs. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) is an agency of the government of the State of California charged with the regulation of alcoholic beverages. ABC’s mission is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of California through licensing, education, and enforcement. ABC is a department of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency.