UW, liquor stores partner to curb underage drinking

by Kevin Bargnes

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 00:00

Underagers hoping to purchase alcohol from downtown Madison liquor stores could have more trouble doing so thanks to nine ID scanners purchased for retailers by the University of Wisconsin.

At $1,000 each, UW gave the scanners to MacTaggart’s Market, University Avenue Liquor, Riley’s Wines of the World, The Vineyard, Badger Liquor, Pinkus McBride Market and Sadhana Wine Shop. Capitol Centre Foods received two scanners.

Dawn Crim, special assistant to outgoing Chancellor John Wiley, said she came up with the idea when she saw the scanners being used to hamper underage drinking at Memorial Union.

“Wisconsin as a state is a high consumer of alcohol, so we’re trying to do our part to look out for those who are not of legal drinking age to ensure that they can make good decisions,” Crim said.

Crim acknowledged underage students could still find different ways to purchase alcohol. She added the initiative is “not a silver bullet,” but alcohol issues are complex and combating them takes multiple initiatives.

The Vineyard, located at 626 University Ave., requires its staff to use the scanner for all out-of-state IDs due to problems with fake IDs in the past, according to Katherine Plominski, alcohol policy coordinator for the city of Madison.

Richard Schober, general manager of MacTaggerts, said although his employees use the scanner most of the time, cashiers must still be on the lookout for borrowed IDs.

“That’s one thing that the scanner does not pick up — if it’s a borrowed ID you have to be sure that the employee is actually looking at the person to make sure it’s them,” Schober said.

The scanners are compatible with IDs issued by every state except for Georgia.

“We’re assuming we won’t get many Georgia IDs in general,” Plominski said. “But anytime you have a Georgia ID you rely on what you would if you didn’t have a scanner.”

In return for the scanner, liquor stores are asked to confiscate IDs and turn them into authorities, Plominski said.

Crim said the program may be expanded in the future to include newly opened establishments. She added it is unlikely that existing bars will be offered a free scanner, but UW encourages them to purchase one.