Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 1981)
Fake ID risky for stores, minors By RICHARD WAGONER Of the Emerald University-area markets and taverns are cracking down on a growing number of minors us ing false identification to buy alcohol. As many as 20-25 minors try to buy beer or wine at Hilyard Street Market on any given Friday or Saturday night, say owners Larry and Jerry Swartz. Other stores report similar problems. And while store owners say they are concerned for minors who may face fines for buying or attempting to buy alcohol, they are more worried about the stiff fines and penalties levied against their stores for selling to minors — penalties that could put them out of business. “If (minors) come in and try to buy beer and one of the clerks misses them or doesn’t know an ID is fake — and we get caught — I could lose my (beer and wine) license,” says Bob Rice, owner of Tom’s Market on Agate and 19th streets. “This store is my livelihood. I have no sympathy for them.” The Hilyard Street Market faces a similar situation. The store has been cited twice in the last year for selling alcohol to minors, Larry Swartz says. One more citation could result in suspension of its beer and wine license. “If that happens we might as well shut our doors," Swartz says. “We have to be so strict that we make a lot of people mad. They think we are picking on them when all we’re doing is protecting ourselves. “Minors just don’t know the severity of their actions.” An increasing number of fake mail-order ID’s and fraudulent driver’s licenses is making a continuing problem even worse, say store and tavern owners and Oregon Liquor Control Com mission officials. The OLCC knows of one or two fake ID operations now in business at the University. And Advertisements for mail-order identifications requiring only the completion of a simple form can be found in magazines distributed locally. Fines for minors purchasing or attempting to purchase al cohol with a fake ID vary with the circumstances, says Gary Sandstrom, senior inspector for the OLCC's enforcement divi sion in Eugene Any minor purchasing or attempting to purchase alcohol can be fined a maximum of $250, regardless of whether the purchase is successful, Sand strom says. And if the minor uses a fake or falsified iden tification, additional fines can be levied. Using a fake mail-order ID is considered misrepresentation of age, a class C misdemeanor punishable by not more than 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. Judges have discretion on the severity of the penalties, Sand strom says. Loaning a minor a driver’s license, using a borrowed or fradulently prepared license, or altering a license to change the birth date all can result in the suspension of the user's valid license for up to one year. All of these offenses also are con sidered misuse of a driver’s license, a class B misdemeaner punishable by a maximum $500 Graphic by Sioux Anderson fine. Sandstrom also warns that purchasing liquor for a minor could result in a $200 fine for the first offense, a $1,000 fine for the second offense and a $1,000 fine plus not less than 30 days in jail for the third offense. “It boils down to whether or not it is worth it," Sandstrom says. “And getting caught just isn’t worth it to buy beer.” As tough as some fines are against minors buying alcohol, store owners and clerks can face even tougher penalties. “The store owners are sitting in a difficult position," Sand strom says. While a clerk may not know a customer is using a falsified identification, the store could possibly be fined for selling to a minor. With Special Prices on Systems or Components BOSE SPEAKERS Spatial Control 100 Watts RMS ch 1299 SPECIAL Similar to Illustration Eliminate Record Wear! V??^S ” V - /Sv. 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Swartz says stores have the right to sue minors for the cost of any fines or court and lawyer costs resulting from a citation against the market. His store will be forced to sue if it gets another fine, he says. “We don’t want to take col lege kids to court, but if we re shut down for a month we might not make it.” Both Rice and Swartz say their efforts have paid off and fewer minors try to buy liquor at their stores And they, along with Sandstrom, say that OLCC workshops to teach clerks how to spot fake ID s have helped considerably. “Our clerks are good,’’ says Swartz, “and they will catch them.’’ UNION Light Set $13.95 installed for $1.50 It’s right to rebel! 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