Editorial: Students need to see the consequences of fake ID's

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Underage students in Lawrence who are using fake IDs to enter bars downtown should take extra precaution tonight, and the rest of the month, to avoid harsh repercussions during crackdowns by local law enforcement.

Possible punishment for possession of a fake ID:

— A fine ranging from $500-$2,500

— Up to a year in jail

For more information contact the Lawrence Police

Department at: 832-7509

Regardless of whether we agree with the drinking age, students are being punished for using fake IDs. While the culture of underage drinking in Lawrence makes these penalties overly severe, students should be informed of the potential outcomes of their decisions.

Many drinking establishments now have signs in the windows warning customers about what constitutes a fake ID, and what the consequence are for having one. Penalties can be as severe as a $500 fine for a first offense, $2,500 for a second offense or up to a year in jail. These posters are a positive way to inform students about this situation.

The KU Public Safety Office should be available as a resource for all students to inform and assist, particularly when students are facing such severe punishment for something that is culturally tolerated though still illegal. In a conversation between the KU Public Safety Office and an officer of the University’s Panhellenic Assocaition, “The fake ID crack down was discussed,” said Caitlin Wise, president of the Panhellenic Association.

Regardless of how much information Panhellenic was given about these crackdowns, if the KU Public Safety Office is discussing these raids with any organizations, it should do so on an equitable basis. The Department of Student Housing should be contacted, along with other student groups who have underage members. The Department of Student Housing declined to comment on whether or not they had been contacted by local law enforcement.

However, discussing the stings, especially the specific dates, with groups or bar owners potentially negates any benefit of doing the raids in the first place. A $20,000 grant from the Department of Transportation is being used to help pay for these stings, and we want to make sure the money is being used for a productive purpose.

The people who are going to end up being hurt by these stings are uninformed, underage students who are living in an environment that doesn’t support the idea of jail time being a consequence for trying to get into a bar with a fake ID. Even if it is socially accepted, students need to tell their friends and classmates what can happen when they risk using a fake ID.

— Caitlin Thornbrugh for The Kansan Editorial Board

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