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The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

University Of Iowa Students Face Consequences Of Fake IDs

(U-WIRE) IOWA CITY, Iowa-University of Iowa sophomore Dalton Kidd, 20, never expected Iowa City police officers to confiscate his false ID after he was caught carrying a case of beer that had been purchased by a 21-year-old friend.

Kidd’s friend had bought the beer at a convenience store and had given it to Kidd to carry.

When he walked away from the store, Kidd hesitated when he heard someone yell, “Hey, stop,” from behind but kept walking when he saw two men wearing jeans.

After catching up to Kidd, the two men pulled out flashlights and identified themselves as undercover Iowa City police officers.

“They patted me down because they said I was trying to run,” Kidd said, which is when they searched his wallet and found his fake ID.

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But users of false identification are not the only ones harmed when they are caught – alcohol venders also suffer consequences.

In an effort to curtail the acceptance of false IDs, state officials met with local alcohol providers at the Ramada Inn, in Coralville, Tuesday.

“Look for obvious defects such as discoloration, bubbles or air beneath the lamination, larger or darker typesetting than normal, false photos and obvious errors in information or dates,” said Andy Lewis, a state Department of Transportation investigator.

Several state organizations and departments sponsored the program and introduced two new technologies that would help establishments identify false IDs.

The “Identifier” and “Viage” are two types of magnetic scanners that read the magnetic strip on the back of the drivers’ licenses and state IDs, then show the age of the user on its screen. The information can also be saved and stored on any PC software and printed out.

Julie Phye, the coordinator of the Stepping Up Program, said the Airliner, 22 S. Clinton St., and the Fieldhouse Restaurant & Bar, 111 E. College St., are the only bars in Iowa City using ID scanners.

“We have been using a scanner to read IDs for about six months,” said Dave Moore, co-owner of the Fieldhouse. “It’s been successful in catching some good fakes, but we still look at the photo to double check the person’s identity.”

Officers have several choices when looking for false IDs, said Iowa City police Sgt. Mike Lord.

“A lot of it is on an officer’s perception of what he sees walking into an establishment,” he said.

Officers will notice those who separate themselves from drinks in a bar and question them, he said. If the person is underage and acting nervous, the officer may try to find a false ID.

If officers have difficulty determining the validity of the ID, they can check the name and Social Security number over the radio, he said.

Kidd said he had used his computer-generated fake ID for approximately a year but hadn’t used it recently for fear of losing it. He said most bar staff in downtown Iowa City looked at it and let him in.

“I think every student who’s not 21 has a fake, we see so many,” Moore said. “It’s hard to spot all of them.”

Fake IDs come in a number of forms, Lord said, but the most common types are computer-generated. Students will also use IDs of older siblings and friends or make them in other crude forms, such as a giant license-backgrounds against a wall.

“Most of the fake IDs we confiscate are ordered off the Internet or homemade from stolen DOT machines. We collect them nightly and turn them into the Iowa City Police Department,” Moore said.

Lord agreed that there are a large number of false IDs circulating Iowa City and says more could be done to curb their use.

It is difficult for officials to hold bars accountable, said Lord, if they are making “reasonable efforts,” which include stationing competent, trained staff at bar entrances.

When underage people are caught with false identification, they are fined $145 on the first offense and $200 on the second offense, combined with 30 days of driver’s license suspension, Lord said.

“The person showing the ID should get charged more – it seems like a slap on the wrist,” said Moore, complaining that the penalties for the deceived staff are more severe.

“We’ve got to take it seriously,” he said. “It’s our first line of defense. Our (liquor) license depends upon us following the rules.”

Penalties for businesses on the first offense for accepting a false ID include a $500 fine for the employee and up to $1,500 for the owner, or a 14-day liquor license suspension. The second offense means a $1,500 fine for both parties and a 30-day suspension; the third offense results in the double fine, a 60-day suspension and possible complete revocation of the license.

Local law enforcement officers use undercover sting operations to check the compliance practices of employees, said Dawn Carlson, a representative for the Petroleum Marketers of Iowa.

“The state of Iowa may get up to $1 million to combat substance abuse,” she said. “Grants will allow more and more compliance checks, and you better believe being in a college town that they’ll come this way.”

Beginning in January 2000, the state Legislature will make more revisions to the licenses issued in 2000, which will help owners visually identify underage patrons faster, said Lewis, the DOT investigator.

“These establishments with liquor licenses are under the pressure of a college community and vast competitors,” said Jim Kuhlman, operations manager of for the Iowa Department of Commerce Alcoholic Beverages Division. “It’s their responsibility to practice good business and to abide by the law.”

But downtown bars don’t take it as seriously, said UI senior Melissa Diebold.

Diebold, 21, used a number of fake IDs before becoming 21; she was never caught by police nor had trouble getting into Iowa City bars.

“One bouncer realized it was a fake but made me get up on a stool and sing a song because he knew it was fake and didn’t care,” she said. “I did it; that was the sad part.”

Another factor contributing to whether a person is let into a bar with a fake ID is who the person is, Diebold said.

“It may be easier for women to get in,” she said. “I’ve seen guys get denied at the places it was easy for me to get in.”

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