Police department seeks ABC grant

The Willows Police Department is poised to become the lead agency for all alcohol-related enforcement operations in Glenn County.

The City Council on Tuesday approved a police request to seek a nearly $13,000 grant from the Alcohol Beverage Control Board.

Police chief Bill Spears said each department in the county takes turns leading the fight against the illegal sale of alcohol to minors.

The Orland Police Department is the current lead agency, but that grant is set to expire in July.

"Operations associated with the one year grant would include Minor Decoy stings, "Shoulder Tap" operations, and licensee training.

The $12,862 grant package would pay for personnel overtime, a computer, breathalyzers, personnel training and operational expenses, Spears said.

The Glenn County ABC task force includes Willows and Orland police, as well as the Sheriff's Office, the Probation Department and the state department of Alcohol Beverage Control, Spears said.

Spears called the programs associated with the ABC grant "an effective deterrent for minors trying to purchase booze."

"We're finding that, more and more, citizens are complying with alcohol-related laws," Spears said. "And that's what we like to see."

Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.