District 12 Councilman Jim Benham is continuing his crusade against underage drinking.
On Wednesday, the Metro Council will consider a proposal that would increase the penalty for making or using a false identification card.
Commonly, these cards are used by people under the age of 21 in attempts to purchase alcohol.
According to Section 13:91.9 of the East Baton Rouge code of ordinances, it is unlawful for anyone under the age of 21 to present false identification to a licensed alcohol vendor. Currently, the penalty is “a fine of not more than $200” and/or “an appropriate amount of community service not to exceed 30 hours.” Under the new proposal, bars would have to post a notice of that fine in a prominent place.
If Benham’s proposal passes, offenders could face a $1,000 fine or up to six months in jail.
A crackdown on fake IDs began in October 2003 after University student Corey Domingue died of alcohol poisoning after using a fake ID to purchase alcohol.
The crackdown is part of the Responsible Vendor Act of 1997, which was designed to educate vendors, their employees and customers about responsible selling, serving and consumption of alcohol. Since that time, the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control statistics show that underage alcohol sales have dropped 65 percent at stores and 79 percent at bars.
The education helps local bars prevent the usage of fake IDs.
“We have the Budweiser book that shows what they look like,” said Frank McMain, owner of RedStar. “We check everybody at the door.”
Despite the safeguards, McMain said his bar rarely seizes fake ID cards.
In a September 2003 article, Darin Adams, owner of Reggie’s, said his bar seizes 20 IDs per week.
“We confiscate them and, depending on what type of fake it is, we either turn it over to the authorities or we get rid of them,” he said.
In February, Benham proposed an ordinance that would have banned anyone under 21 from entering bars in East Baton Rouge Parish. The ordinance was turned down by an 8 to 4 vote.
In a Feb. 27 Reveille article, Benham said he proposed the amendment to help prevent underage drinking. He said it would have stopped “enforcement” problems that exist in bars and lounges which give underage drinkers access to alcohol.
“It’s [underage drinking] illegal already,” said Chris Young of the Louisiana Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. “Let’s enforce the law.”
Benham’s fake ID proposal was recommended by the Finance and Executive Committee in a March 3 meeting.