KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2010 / NEWS
11A
LAWRENCE
Bars crack down on fakes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAWRENCE — White posters are going up across Lawrence this week that warn minors about the consequences of using fake IDs.
"it's illegal, it's unhealthy and it's unsafe for you, and this is one of the campaigns to let them know that if they go out and get a fake ID to enter a bar, that they'll get in trouble," said Jen Brinkerhoff, director of prevention for the Douglas County Citizens Committee on Alcoholism.
The DCCCA is a Lawrence agency that provides education, prevention and treatment services for residents and families suffering from alcohol addiction.
For the second straight semester, DCCCA is leading a campaign to keep minors out of area bars. "Fake ID 101" was initiated earlier this year with the help of several area agencies, including The New Tradition Coalition of Lawrence, The Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Alcoholic Beverage Control, KU Public Safety Office, Lawrence police and the Douglas County Sheriff's Department.
A $25,000 grant funds education
and enforcement efforts that are designed to curb the use of fake IDs. Hundreds of posters are being distributed in Lawrence and surrounding communities. The post-
even consider what a fake ID is and the consequences of using one: a $2,500 fine or up to one year in jail or both.
In the spring, the posters were primarily up in restaurants and bars, but now they're also
"It's illegal, it's unhealthy and it's unsafe for you."
Employees at The Wheel will get a refresher course this week on spotting fake IDs. Farha said they
"As much education as possible is great," he said.
going in churches, grocery stores, theaters and more.
"Anywhere that this age group — under 21 — might be going to see this message. Brinkerhoff said.
JEN BRINKERHOFF Director of prevention. DCCCA
The campaign provides funds for additional law enforcement efforts as well. In February, Lawrence police used grant funds to conduct four separate fake ID sting operations at 94 drinking establishments. The effort yielded 37 citations for 48 violations, according to Brinkerhoff.
The Wheel owner Rob Farha said he appreciated the campaign.
would learn to check birthdays and expiration dates, while also closely looking at eye color, hair color and more. He said it was not always easy spotting the fakes.
"We do our best; technology
is unbelievable out there, but we do the best we can do," he said.
Brinkerhoff said an important part of Fake ID 101 was educating minors so they won't even approach establishments where they're not allowed, easing the burden on workers checking IDs.
"We want to educate students, especially when they're coming in as freshmen, and say, 'hey, we are a college town and we have a lot of great things, but we do not tolerate underage drinking." Brinkerhoff said.
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