Target Responsibility For Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE)
TRACE is a protocol wherein first responders to alcohol-related emergencies immediately notify ABC when an incident involves a person under 21 and an alcoholic beverage that results in great bodily injury or death. Or anyone charged with vehicular manslaughter that was under the influence of alcohol regardless of their age.
TRACE WebApp Now Available!
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control developed the TRACE WebApp to provide a quick, accurate, and secure method for law enforcement to relay data to the TRACE Unit.
Background
The TRACE Protocol was created in the spring of 2004 when a diverse group of law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, stakeholder groups and individuals tried to grapple with the increasing problem of youth access to alcohol.
Casey Goodwin, a college student from Exeter, had been killed in a head-on crash by an 18 year old drunk driver. Her mother, Lynne, was troubled by one nagging thought. Although the police had done an excellent job investigating the crash and the drunk driver was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, she knew another person was involved in the crime that killed her daughter. That person was the individual who either sold or gave the alcoholic beverages to the drunk driver. Lynne simply asked why there wasn’t a better method of investigating that aspect of drunk driver crashes involving minors.
The questions Lynne Goodwin asked eventually brought together ABC with the Attorney General’s Office, California Highway Patrol, MADD, FNL and many other agencies and stakeholder groups.
ABC had a distinct role to play with TRACE. Of course, there was the obvious access to licensed premises and a high level of expertise. But there was also a dedicated corps of ABC Investigators who were extremely motivated in taking up the assignment.
Initially, TRACE was funded with a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This funding paid for overtime, equipment, and creation of support mechanisms, training videos and printing.
In May 2006, the TRACE Unit at ABC was born as a free standing bureau within the Department.
Today, TRACE has continued to be supported by OTS grant funding which has stabilized the unit and ensured its continued operation.
TRACE Facts
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) should be notified immediately of any death or serious injury involving underage drinking.
TRACE is a protocol wherein first responders to alcohol-related emergencies immediately notify ABC when an incident involves a person under 21 and an alcoholic beverage that results in great bodily injury or death. Or anyone charged with vehicular manslaughter that was under the influence of alcohol regardless of their age.
ABC Agents will conduct a simultaneous investigation to determine where the alcoholic beverages were acquired, purchased, or served.
Agents will be alert to the collection of evidence that may indicate where the alcoholic beverage was obtained. Such evidence can include false identification, receipts, bags, labels, and statements of witnesses.
A timely notification to the TRACE Unit greatly improves the chance of a successful investigation.
If the TRACE investigation determines that an ABC licensed location sold or furnished alcohol to a minor or served or sold alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated, the Department will file an administrative action to suspend or revoke the license of that business.
The TRACE Protocol was developed by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Office of Traffic Safety, California Attorney General’s Office, California Highway Patrol, California Police Chiefs Association, and California State Sheriffs’ Association.
Report
Two options for law enforcement to report a TRACE incident:
TRACE WebApp: trace.abc.ca.gov
24 Hour TRACE Hotline: (855) HLP-TRACE
Contact
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email us at headquarters@abc.ca.gov
Call (916) 419-2500
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