Sunday, May 19, 2013

Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

New scanners making bar scene safer
Posted: 11.19.2011 at 9:29 PM
4
New ID scanners at downtown Colorado Springs bars.  / FOX21: Adam Jukkola
Photo

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. --

A simple swipe of your ID is all it takes to keep you safe while hitting the downtown Colorado Springs bar scene.

A group of 10 bars and nightclubs are using a new identification scanner as a way to quickly spot fake IDs and watch for troublemakers.

"We had an instance recently with a customer who looked borderline 21. It was a gentleman, and when their ID was scanned on the computer it came up as a 41-year-old woman," Luke Travins of Concept Restaurants said.

The hand-held scanners are part of safety collaboration between the Colorado Springs Police Department and Downtown Premier Partners, who have already implemented a code of conduct.

Clubs can share messages and information as a way to keep an eye out for hooligans.

Other Colorado Springs news
New Colorado Springs brand 
Occupy Colorado Springs cost 
Medical marijuana fees lowered 

Jesse Gerizzle of Colorado Springs thinks the new safety measure is a good idea.

"If there's troublemakers it'll keep them outside, and you don't have to deal with it when you're in here," Gerizzle said.

But not every bar patron we talked to liked the idea.

Stephanie Wright said, "I don't think they should ID anyone like that and check what they're doing."

The new safety measure is the result of a multi-year partnership that's working to improve downtown safety.

"We have more of an opportunity to comply with liquor laws, which is obviously of huge importance in our industry," Travins said.

Not only do the scanners verify a patron's age, they're equipped to hold pictures taken by their newly installed cameras.

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Police investigating fatal motorcycle crash
Rachel Welte  |  Saturday, May 18, 2013  |  7 comments
Thumbnail
Wildlife officials search for coyote who attacked 2 children
Rachel Welte  |  Yesterday at 5:31 PM  |  4 comments
Thumbnail
Sheriff: Man shot to death, victim's wife and daughter arrested
Rachel Welte  |  Saturday, May 18, 2013  |  1 comment
Follow FOX21
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Health Connection
Local medical information
Home and Garden
Home and garden tips
Loud & Proud
Tell us what makes your school cool.
Texas T-Bone Trivia
A chance to win a steak every Monday through Thursday
ADVERTISEMENT