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Fake ID, Underage Drinking Summer Sweep Starts Statewide

With summer’s arrival, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced “Operation Prevent,” the state’s annual initiative to crack down on underage drinking and fake IDs.

Law enforcement officials are cracking down on fake IDs and underage drinking at concerts.

Law enforcement officials are cracking down on fake IDs and underage drinking at concerts.

Photo Credit: Flickr user CharlotteBodak

Cuomo announced that DMV investigators, members of the New York State Police and local law enforcement officials have launched their 2017 summer concert crackdown, making dozens of arrests in May.

According to Cuomo, as part of the “Operation Prevent,” 12 arrests were made at a Brad Paisley concert on Thursday, May 18 and another 55 were made the following week at the Future concert at Darien Lake on May 24.

Fake IDs confiscated at the two concerts included fraudulent licenses from New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut and Florida.

"From Buffalo's Canalside and Darien Lake, to SPAC and Jones Beach, New York offers some of the nation's greatest summer concert venues, and with the launch of this program, we will crack down on underage drinking at these concerts to help prevent bad decisions and stop avoidable tragedies," Cuomo said. "Make no mistake, using a fake ID is illegal and the consequences that come with it just aren't worth it."

During Operation Prevent, Cuomo said that investigators will conduct sweep at summer concert venues where underage concertgoers are expected to congregate. Those caught using fake IDs to purchase alcohol may have their license revoked up to one year and could be arrested.

"The Operation Prevent campaign is not meant to surprise anyone. We want people to know we will be out at these venues, checking for fake identification and arresting underage concertgoers who try to buy alcoholic beverages,” Terri Egan, the Executive Deputy Commissioner of the DMV said in a statement. “Our goal is to discourage behavior that can lead to crashes, injuries and deaths.”

"Underage drinking and the abuse of alcohol by minors will not be tolerated,” New York State Police Superintendent George Beach II added. “Safety is our top priority and we will be diligent in working with our partners to discourage, detect and apprehend underage users and to prevent the senseless injuries and tragedies that can result from this illegal behavior."

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