Bouncers at The Library Bar & Grill on Mill Avenue called police after a 19-year-old woman became agitated and disorderly when her ID was questioned Tuesday night.
"We don't always call the police when a customer tries to pass off a fake ID," said Julian Wright, The Library's owner. "If this woman hadn't caused a disruption, we would have let her go like everyone else."
As a new crop of potential underage drinkers has just moved here to attend ASU, Tempe police are continuing a program to train bar employees how to spot IDs in hopes that it will deter people like the woman at The Library from using them.
Police will host liquor law classes on an as-needed basis for bar owners and employees hoping to curtail fake ID use.
Though not all bars call the police when a fake ID is confiscated, Tempe Police Sgt. Dan Masters said the relationship between police and bar owners is an important one.
"When businesses request a training session, we set one up as soon as possible," he said. "We try to keep up with the new technologies and prevent underage drinkers from gaining access to bars."
Some bar owners train their employees on site.
"Our bouncers are trained to identify a fake ID by first noticing any variations in physical appearance between ID description and the person trying to get into the bar," Wright said. "Then, any abnormalities with the hologram or lamination on the ID are taken into consideration."
For some students, the prospect of not getting caught makes using a fake worthwhile.
"I wouldn't use a fake ID everywhere, but if you don't get arrested, the risk is worth it," said undeclared freshman Aimee Manganaro.
Math freshman Kim Stoner said using a fake ID was dangerous, but something she would still consider.
"A friend's fake ID was taken at Axis Radius, and she hasn't used one again," Stoner said. "I might try it just to see what happens."
Some Web sites offer fake IDs for a price. Underage drinkers can pay to have IDs created using hologram technology and actual barcodes from motor vehicle departments nationwide. Web sites like www.fakeidman.com rank ID fabricators by the quality of their work.
"There's a lot of new technology out there," Wright said. "But I'm confident that our bouncers keep up with it and can identify fakes."
On an average weekend, bicycle officers on Mill Avenue might confiscate dozens of fake IDs, said former bicycle officer and current accreditation officer Aki Stant.
"On a typical Friday night, I would confiscate five, and sometimes six, fake IDs," Stant said. "Other officers in the area would impound even more."
Use of a fake ID is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor in Arizona. The maximum penalty if an individual is found guilty of the charge is up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Reach the reporter at kelly.vaughn@asu.edu.
