The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced the start of a summer-long crackdown on the use of fake IDs to purchase alcohol at concert venues statewide. Operation Prevent is led by DMV investigators to prevent underage drinking or worse—drinking and driving. They will work closely with investigators from the State Liquor Authority, State Police, State Parks Police, and local law enforcement at venues across the state throughout the summer concert season.
The underage drinking enforcement details began on June 13 and will continue through September 17. In total, 28 underage drinking enforcement details are scheduled at concert venues across the state during that time.
“Our investigators are well-trained to spot fake IDs, and we have added security measures that make our licenses and non-driver IDs increasingly difficult to counterfeit,” Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, said. “You may think we’re trying to spoil your fun, but it is not fun to end up in a hospital, a jail or a morgue from a night spent drinking when you’re underage.”
Acquiring a fake ID can also increase a person’s vulnerability to identity theft. And beyond the risk to traffic safety, underage drinking can pose serious risks to a young person’s health and development.
OASAS Commissioner Chinazo Cunningham said, “Underage drinking can have serious short- and long-term consequences, and these efforts are an important way that we can educate young people about the risks of underage drinking and help them avoid any negative effects. Operation Prevent is making a real difference across New York State and helping to support our efforts to address underage alcohol use.”
Operation Prevent enforcement sweeps will be conducted at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, CMAC in Canandaigua, and the Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse, as well as other locations where underage concertgoers are likely to gather. Customers under the age of 21 found to be using fake or another individual’s IDs to buy alcohol can be ticketed and their licenses can be suspended or revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year.
Last year, more than 550 people received tickets during the seasonal crackdown on the use of fake identification to purchase alcohol. A total of 580 fake documents were seized. There were 505 tickets issued for attempting to use fake IDs, and another 46 tickets for violations of the Alcohol Beverage and Control Law.
State Liquor Authority Chair Lily Fan said, “We want all New Yorkers to enjoy summer concerts and support our amazing venues across our Empire State. We also urge everyone to do so responsibly. To keep alcohol out of the hands of underage youth and ensure safety for all, the State Liquor Authority is proudly collaborating with other state agencies and local law enforcement this summer to support Operation Prevent.”
New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, “While we want everyone to enjoy the fun festivities of summer, we want them to do so responsibly. Underage drinking and the use of fake IDs to purchase alcohol will not be tolerated in New York state. The State Police will be diligent in working with our partners to discourage, detect and apprehend underage users and to prevent the senseless injuries and tragedies that can result from this illegal behavior.”
Col. Michael Daddona of New York State Park Police, said, “As we enter concert season, our team of Park Police officers will be supporting DMV’s Operation Prevent to ensure the safety of all concertgoers at our venues and parks. We hope this effort to deter underage drinking will send a strong message that both drinking and having a fake ID are not worth the risk.”
Operation Prevent is supported by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The committee coordinates traffic safety activities in New York, and it awards federal highway safety grant funds to local, state, and not-for-profit agencies for projects to improve highway safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries due to crashes.
New Yorkers struggling with addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, residential, or outpatient care can be found using the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports website.
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