Department of Motor Vehicles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Wednesday, September 7, 2016

NEW YORK STATE DMV ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 50 UNDERAGE DRINKING ARRESTS DURING WEEKS LEADING UP TO LABOR DAY
DMV Teamed Up with Law Enforcement Partners to Confiscate Fake IDs and Deter Underage Drinking at Summer Concerts in Buffalo, Saratoga Springs, and Syracuse

 The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the underage drinking arrests of more than 50 individuals at several summer concerts during the latest round of Operation Prevent sweeps held during the weeks leading up to Labor Day. Operation Prevent was initiated to deter underage drinking in local communities and keep New York’s roadways safe. Between August 26 and September 3, 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 three Florida Georgia Line concerts in Darien Lake, Saratoga Springs, and Syracuse, and a Zac Brown Band show in Saratoga Springs. Investigators made 56 arrests and confiscated dozens of fraudulent identity documents.

“As summer winds down, DMV investigators are wrapping up their coordinated sweeps at summer concerts. However, deterring underage drinking and cracking down on the use of fake IDs is a year-round job, and we will continue working with our law enforcement partners to conduct sweeps at places where young people gather so that we can keep them, and everyone on our roadways, safe,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan.

August 26: Florida Georgia Line concert, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Darien Lake
DMV investigators worked with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center during the Florida Georgia Line performance, resulting in 11 arrests, including one for resisting arrest and harassment. Three fraudulent documents were recovered, including one each from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Quebec. One individual tried to use a New York State license belonging to another person.

August 28: Florida Georgia Line concert, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs
DMV investigators worked with the New York State Park Police at SPAC on August 28 to deter underage drinking during the Florida Georgia Line concert. Five individuals were arrested; three used fraudulent IDs from Pennsylvania, and two used fake IDs from Connecticut.

September 2: Florida Georgia Line concert, Lakeview Amphitheater in Syracuse
The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department assisted DMV investigators on September 2 in Syracuse, teaming up to make 37 arrests at the Florida Georgia Line concert at the Lakeview Amphitheater. Law enforcement issued summonses for violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law and alcoholic beverage control laws, and one individual was charged with resisting arrest. More than two dozen fraudulent documents from several states were seized.

September 3: Zac Brown Band concert, SPAC in Saratoga Springs
DMV investigators arrested six individuals for underage drinking at the Zac Brown Band concert at SPAC on September 3. Those arrested possessed fraudulent licenses from Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, and one individual was caught using another person’s New York State driver license.

In addition to sweeps at summer concerts, DMV investigators, with the New York State Police, also conducted sweeps at various drinking establishments in Rochester on September 2. A strong police presence in the area served as an effective deterrent for fraudulent ID activity, so law enforcement did not make any arrests.

Governor Cuomo has made deterring underage drinking a priority. In August, ahead of the fall semester, the Governor announced a coordinated interagency effort to combat underage drinking on college campuses across New York State. In June, for the second summer in a row, Governor Cuomo announced coordinated sweeps to combat underage drinking and fake IDs during summer concert season. Operation Prevent expanded to additional venues in summer 2016, including Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and the Lakeview Amphitheater.

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 State Liquor Authority in larger cities and college towns.

###