ABC/OTS Alcohol Enforcement Grant 2026

The Alcohol Policing Partnership (APP) Program, administered by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), is designed to assist local law enforcement agencies in developing and institutionalizing strategies to address alcohol-related crime and public nuisances linked to problematic alcoholic beverage outlets. Established in 1995, the program arose from the need to create a systematic and proactive approach to addressing such issues at the point of sale on a community-wide scale. Prior to its inception, interactions between ABC, local agencies, and community groups were typically reactive and limited to individual cases, lacking coordinated enforcement. The program addresses the public safety challenges posed by a small but impactful percentage of licensed outlets that attract criminal activity such as drug dealing, public drunkenness, drunk driving, underage drinking, and assaults. These problem locations can degrade neighborhood quality of life and consume significant law enforcement resources. The APP Program’s primary goals are to meet grant agreement objectives, foster strong working relationships between ABC district offices and grantee agencies, prioritize enforcement against problematic outlets, improve reporting systems, and provide targeted training to law enforcement personnel. The APP Program implements a “full-court press” strategy that leverages federal, state, and local resources for maximum impact. This includes comprehensive enforcement tactics, community engagement, prevention measures, and innovative recordkeeping systems. Training is a key component, with ABC agents providing instruction in ABC law, enforcement strategies, administrative procedures, and community resources. Prevention programs such as LEAD (Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs) and IMPACT (Informed Merchants Preventing Alcohol-Related Crime Tendencies) are also utilized, often preceding enforcement action to encourage voluntary compliance among licensees. Community involvement is encouraged through initiatives like educating residents on documenting nuisance activity, and enforcement strategies include undercover investigations, Minor Decoy operations, Cops in Shops®, Shoulder Tap programs, and Retail Operating Standards Task Force activities. During the grant period, agencies are expected to improve systems for reporting alcohol-related crimes and collaborate with ABC to address problem outlets. Media engagement is also used to highlight positive impacts, increase public awareness, and encourage compliance. The program’s success is measured by reductions in alcohol-related crime, arrests, and calls for service, as well as increased administrative actions and community outreach efforts. Qualitative results include improved neighborhood conditions, positive feedback from communities, and proactive steps taken by businesses to reduce nuisance activity. Special events that have historically led to alcohol-related crime have also seen improved safety outcomes under the program. Funding for the APP Program comes from ABC’s special fund, supported entirely by license fees from the alcoholic beverage industry. Grants are awarded annually to California law enforcement agencies. For the 2024/25 fiscal year, funded projects run through June 2025, with the next cycle beginning in July 2025. Law enforcement agencies selected for funding work closely with ABC agents, receive specialized training, and expand their capacity to address alcohol-related crime through a comprehensive enforcement and prevention approach. The designated contact for the APP Program is Kristine Okino, Grant Coordinator, who can be reached at 3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95834, via email at kristine.okino@abc.ca.gov, or by phone at (916) 419-2572. Fax communications may be sent to (916) 419-2599.