Alcohol Servers Get Eyeful of Fake IDS

A handful of servers and sellers of alcohol in Barrington got an eyeful of fake IDs last week. 

The IDs shown to the wait staff at several local restaurants were a sample taken from 3,000 fake IDs collected in Newport over the past 10 years, said Kathleen Sullivan, program manager for The BAY Team substance abuse prevention coalition. 

The BAY Team offered the free workshop as a follow-up to the annual liquor training it presents, Sullivan said.

Newport Police Officer Kevin Parsonage led the workshop.

“He reminded the wait staff that by confiscating these forms of false IDs from minors who were attempting to purchase alcohol, the staff were potentially preventing unwanted sexual assaults, violence, DUIs, accidents and the violence that often result from underage drinking,” said Sullivan.

Participants also were introduced to the security features used in the production of IDs and the technology used to detect falsified documents, Sullivan said. 

Additional strategies for ensuring that minors are not served alcohol were also explored she said. Chris Arnold, from Advanced ID Detection, displayed innovative scanners and software.

Kashem Dewan, manager of Pizzico Ristorante, hosted the workshop. Wait staff from Billy’s Restaurant, Brickyard Wine & Spirits and Pizzico Ristorante attended.