Cassie* stood nervously just outside the liquor store door, digging in her purse to find a cigarette.

Then she waits.

She is waiting for the right time, the right person with the right car or the right music.

She’s waiting for a single guy to eye her or a group of girls to take pity on her.

And then, she makes her move.

“Can you do me a favor?” Cassie will ask.

“I’m only 19, but I want a six-pack [of beer],” she explains, handing them some cash to cover the cost.

Some refuse, but many do not. With an average of about four deals a night, it seems that Cassie always can find the hook-up in a college town like DeKalb.

But what she doesn’t tell you is that a few cars down in the parking lot is a plainclothes cop, watching for those who take the cash and deliver the goods. And across the street is another cop, keeping an eye on Cassie to make sure nothing bad happens to her.

Around the corner yet is another undercover squad car, with two officers waiting for a description of the suspect and the car.

Officer Red* is the officer in charge. He sits in the parking lot across from the targeted store. He watches for a distress signal from Cassie and sits poised to respond in the event of an emergency.

Officer Blue* sits in a civilian-looking car in the liquor store parking lot. His job is to be an immediate response to help Cassie if trouble arises and to be the eyes for the officers around the corner.

Around the corner sit two more officers, Yellow* and Green*. Once Blue radios the description of the suspect and the vehicle, these two prepare for their end of the bargain. Dressed in DeKalb police attire, these officers are the ones recognized as police. And as soon as Blue lets them know the direction the suspect is traveling, Yellow and Blue tail the vehicle, waiting to pull the vehicle over until they are away from the liquor store as to avoid suspicion.

Once the suspect’s vehicle is stopped, Yellow and Green approach the suspect. While some may deny knowing that Cassie was underage, few deny buying the alcohol for her.

The officers check the background of the suspect involved while they write a ticket for giving alcohol to a minor. If the check comes back clear, the officers release the suspect with a citation and a court date.

The suspects are charged under the city ordinance and face fines of $200 to $500, as by a judge. Finally, Yellow and Green send the suspect off with a warning to stay away from the liquor store for the remainder of the evening and a simple goodbye.

“Hope you have a better night,” Yellow says as the car window goes up.

As soon as Yellow and Green are back into position, the game starts again.

This program, funded by a grant secured by the Ben Gordon Center, is intended to curb underage drinking. Cassie, along with various partners, are civilian minors who work with the DeKalb Police Department to check for compliance with the city ordinance.

Cassie’s job varies by night. She also gets sent into local taverns and liquor stores, attempting to buy alcohol. Other times, like this night, she tries to find others to buy her alcohol.

The ultimate goal, Red said, is to have zero arrests because that would mean all-around compliance.

Until then, Cassie will continue to seek out those willing to break the law.

*All names have been changed to protect those involved.