WORCESTER, Mass. — Worcester police are stepping up actions to stop the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors.

The department said its Alcohol Enforcement Unit will start conducting programs over the next year, aiming to prevent minors from buying and consuming alcoholic beverages.

The unit will also target establishments who over serve patrons.

Interim Police Chief Paul Saucier said it's part of a yearly initiative to keep the community safer.

"It's something we like to bring forward so the public know we're going to be out there” said Chief Saucier. “Whether or not it's compliance checks, looking for underage drinkers, looking for people over-serving. Especially establishments, they need to keep on with verifying ages and what-not, so we don't have any tragedies."

According to the CDC, underage drinking is responsible for more than 3,500 deaths, every year, among underage youth.

Massachusetts also offers an online action plan available for parents to prevent underage drinking.