May 10, 2011 – ABC Eyewitness news story – see below.
A couple points we like to make on the story.
1.) ID Scanners are not ‘Fool Proof’ – nothing is fool proof and none should be the sole tool when checking IDs. The person using the ID Scanner is the most important part of the process. If they are not paying attention, no technology will matter.
2.) The store owner is waiting too long when scanning IDs. The ID should be quickly inserted and removed from the scanner slot. Its not necessary to wait for the red light to stop flashing on the bar code scanner.
Now we will get off our soap box and watch the video!
From – http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/south_county/north-kingstown-new-scanners-can-spot-fake-ids-in-liquor-stores
Town’s new scanners can spot fake IDs
High-tech tool aimed at curbing underage drinking
Updated: Tuesday, 10 May 2011, 12:28 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 10 May 2011, 6:34 AM EDT
Mary Karalis
Dan Carpenter
Reported by Kathryn Sotnik
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) – The town of North Kingstown has a new tool to help curb underage drinking.
It has invested in new scanners which are now in place in the town’s four liquor stores.
The Wickford Package Store calls the new system “fool-proof”.
“It’s just a great addition to our arsenol of tools that we have,” said Manager Dave Sherman.
The scanners, which look like credit-card machines, check state issued identification cards and driver’s licenses to see if they are real or fake.
The new device gives a simple “yes” or “no” when an ID is swiped.
“We’re sending a message for anybody that’s underage that ‘you’re not going to come to North Kingstown and buy booze for yourself or your underage friends” said Sherman.
A state grant provided the funding for the scanners, which cost $900 each.
North Kingstown police tell us they already crack down on underage drinking through party patrols and undercover busts, but add this tool will help them even more.
“I’m not particularly sure that there’s a problem of underage drinking here,” said customer Raffael Attias, “but anything that can be done to control that is a good thing.”