Newport Police Give ID Scanners To Bars To Curb Underage Drinking

NEWPORT, RI — To aid in the prevention of underage drinking, the Newport Police Department on Friday said they gave scanners to city bars and clubs that help identify fake identification cards.

Police said the handheld scanners were given to any Newport bar that requested them.

When door staff check a person's ID before entering a bar, that person's ID will be scanned to help determine if it is fake. Police said the process takes just seconds and if determined fake, the ID will be seized by the staff.

These scanners will supplement door staff, who will also examine demographics on a non-fake ID to be sure it is the same as the person handing them it.

Underage drinking, along with the dangers physically, can be an arrestable offense with a municipal fine for possessing an alcoholic beverage underage and/or possessing a fake ID. Along with fines, the offender’s driver’s license can be suspended up to one year.