BOARDMAN Police push efforts to catch fake IDs

Scanning machines in businesses and online bartender classes are two ways police are trying to fight underage alcohol sales.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Bartenders at Camelot Lanes bowling alley have a new weapon to use in their efforts to keep alcohol out of the hands of those under 21.
The bartenders still check the driver's license and make sure the face in the picture matches the face sitting across the bar. But, before any age calculations, before the servers checks the date of birth, the license is scanned through a machine that will instantly tell the individual's age and determine if the ID being used is fake.
With a large commercial district and a growing number of businesses looking to sell alcohol in the township, police are encouraging businesses to take progressive steps to curtail sales to minors and intoxicated individuals.
Township voters will decide 17 alcohol selling-related issues and eight new permit requests Tuesday. There are 50 alcohol permit holders in the township.
Working together
The scanning device is just one method police are advocating to fight illegal sales. Patrolman Kim Kotheimer said officers make routine checks of each establishment, but still need help from the permit holders in curbing the sales.
"It's just growing and can be really hard to keep up with it all," he said.
Jeff Smith, Camelot Lanes general manager, said the company bought the scanning machine about six weeks ago and feels it is worth every cent of the $1,400 price tag. He said the machine has not picked up any fake IDs yet, but having the machine allows employees to worry less about staying within the law.
"We wanted to make sure we are serving who we should be serving and we wanted to make sure there weren't any false IDs coming through here," he said.
Class for bartenders
Kotheimer said the department also is suggesting that businesses consider having servers take an online class for bartenders. He said 12 states make such training mandatory, but only a few businesses have taken advantage of the classes in the township.
The course, Techniques of Alcohol Management, offered by the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, uses scenarios to teach servers better ways to check identification and determine underage buyers. The course also shows bartenders how to identify and not serve intoxicated individuals. It's against Ohio law to serve people who are drunk.
Kotheimer said those who take the course will be able to determine how much alcohol a person can handle by looking at their height and weight.
According to Kotheimer, taking the added measures will be as beneficial to the business as it is to law enforcement and the community at large. He said the cost of the scanning device could be less than a couple of citations for sales to minors. He also said legitimate customers appreciate the added control.
"When people find they can go to a place that is in compliance and not going to serve alcohol to underage people, the general public is much comfortable with that," he said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com