Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Contacts:
Joe Morrissey             [email protected] 
Casey McNulty           [email protected]

NEW YORK STATE DMV ANNOUNCES ARRESTS OF 65 INDIVIDUALS DURING WEEKEND UNDERAGE DRINKING SWEEPS AT SUMMER CONCERTS 
Dozens of Fake IDs Confiscated as DMV Teams Up with Local Law Enforcement During Shows at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater on Long Island and at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the Capital Region

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced 65 weekend arrests at two concerts during the latest round of “Operation Prevent” sweeps. Operation Prevent was initiated to deter underage drinking in local communities and keep New York’s roadways safe. On Thursday, August 4 and Sunday, August 7, investigators from DMV’s Division of Field Investigation teamed up with New York State Park Police and local law enforcement agencies to conduct sweeps at the Brad Paisley concert at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, and the Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). Investigators made 65 arrests and confiscated dozens more fraudulent identity documents. Governor Cuomo announced in June that the state would continue its push to ensure that the public, and especially New York’s youth, remain safe and well-protected during the summer concert season.

“Summer concerts are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and have a great time. However, New Yorkers who are underage should be aware that our investigators will also be at the venue, looking out for fraudulent IDs and cracking down on underage drinking with help from law enforcement partners,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “We do not announce ahead of time where we will be, but you can count on us showing up wherever young adults might be – at concerts, at convenience stores, at college bars – to deter underage drinking year-round.”

Thursday, August 4: Brad Paisley concert, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
DMV investigators conducted an Operation Prevent sweep along with the New York State Park Police at the Brad Paisley concert at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. They arrested 22 people for attempting to use fraudulent identification to buy alcohol. Fraudulent licenses were recovered from Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Two individuals tried to use New York driver licenses belonging to other people. Three additional abandoned counterfeit documents, from Connecticut and Pennsylvania, were recovered at the show and will be investigated.

Sunday, August 7: Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert, SPAC
DMV investigators conducted an Operation Prevent sweep at the Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert at SPAC, which resulted in 43 arrests. Fraudulent licenses were recovered from Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. An additional 24 fraudulent documents were recovered from other sources within the venue. Follow-up investigations will be conducted on the found IDs.

Additionally, DMV investigators worked with the Sag Harbor Police Department on Long Island on Saturday, August 6 for Operation Prevent sweeps at Murf’s Backstreet Tavern and the Back Page. They arrested two individuals and confiscated five documents: a fake Colorado license, a fake Ohio license, two fake Rhode Island licenses, and a real New York State license another person used in an attempt to enter the bar.

During an Operation Prevent sweep, state investigators work with a number of different entities to check identification documents. Patrons under the age of 21 found to be using fake IDs or false documents with the intent of purchasing alcohol can be arrested and have their license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year. Operation Prevent investigations are funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) to deter underage drinking and keep New York’s roadways safe. DMV also conducts operations at the request of bar owners, law enforcement, and the SLA in larger cities and college towns.

Last year, Governor Cuomo announced a similar statewide crackdown, which took place at concert venues that included SPAC, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, and CMAC in Canandaigua. This year, Operation Prevent has expanded to additional venues, including Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and the Lakeview Amphitheater.

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