Though Boston is infamous for its scrutiny of IDs and strict enforcement of age requirements to gain entry into nightclubs and bars, the city’s police department announced last week it will boost efforts to catch would-be underage purchasers of alcohol and tobacco.
According to an April 20 Boston Police Department press release, undercover officers will be conducting Minimum Age Purchase Law compliance checks to ensure businesses selling the products are following proper protocol to check IDs to prevent sales to minors.
“Adherence to these laws is vital to the prevention of underage drinking, and underage purchase of tobacco products,” the release states. “The checks are an important part of enforcing compliance.”
Several police officers told The Daily Free Press they had not been informed of any official new policies, but District 14 Community Service Officer Steve Law said the announcement is an extension of already existing local police and Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission practices of regular random checks on area liquor stores.
“They’ll target Brighton during one phase, and they may do South Boston on another one,” he said. “It’s just another tool to keep [stores] on their toes.”
Joe Gomes, manager at Blanchard’s liquor store in Allston, said the BPD checks his store about once a month.
“They usually just check people coming out of the store,” he said.
Bob Bacco, manager at two Deluca’s Market stores, one in Back Bay and one in Beacon Hill, said minors who attempt to use fake IDs at liquor stores do not realize the risks they impose on themselves as well as the establishments they hope to dupe.
“[They] are not only putting the store at risk, but they are also putting the person behind the counter at risk for a fine of about $1,500 and a potential for having a criminal record,” he said.
In Brookline, Wine Press liquor store manager Walter Cronin said police regularly visit to show new technology that could help identify fake IDs, of which he finds as many as 50 in some months.
“I think the police are really trying to make the students aware they are serious about underage drinking,” Cronin said. “They do have sting operations. The only way you find out is if [police] stop someone on the street.”
Cronin said the Wine Press asks for backup IDs and credit cards, especially from people with out-of-state licenses, and checks IDs against published books of licenses.
“On the sidewalk, after they come out the door, there is a very good chance they will be stopped by not only a Brookline Police officer but also a Boston University police officer,” he said.
College of Communication junior Aften Lay, 21, said she often gets asked for a second form of identification when legally purchasing alcohol because she looks younger than she is.
“Ultimately, I think it’s a good idea [to be strict], because people come here with different IDs from different states,” she said.