Department of Motor Vehicles

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 4, 2015 

‘OPERATION PREVENT’ SWEEP TARGETING UNDERAGE DRINKING AND FAKE IDS
NETS 12 ARRESTS IN CORTLAND
Sweep is part of continued traffic safety efforts to keep New Yorkers safe on the roads

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced the results of a Halloween weekend sweep in Cortland, where 12 young adults were arrested trying to gain entry to local bars by allegedly possessing fraudulent identification documents or presenting another person’s driver license. The ID check is the latest in DMV’s ongoing, statewide effort to deter underage drinking and keep New York’s roadways safe.

“While there is good reason to focus on celebrations and holidays, DMV and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) work each day on education and enforcement actions to keep our roads and the youth of New York State safe,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “By partnering with local law enforcement and local establishments to conduct these ID checks, DMV is denying underage young adults access to alcohol so that we can avoid needless tragedy.”

In the latest Operation Prevent sweep in Cortland, DMV’s Division of Field Investigation (DFI) and local law enforcement agencies recovered six counterfeit documents allegedly issued from Connecticut, Ohio, and South Carolina and six New York licenses belonging to others.  During such sweeps, DFI examines the identity documents of people seeking to purchase alcohol or enter bars. In addition to standard techniques, DFI uses a portable document-scanning workstation, which allows them to scan identity documents to detect alterations and counterfeits.

At the end of the summer concert season, Governor Cuomo announced the results of a Labor Day weekend crackdown aimed at reducing underage drinking and fake identification at summer concerts and other underage hotspots. In total, Operation Prevent hotspots netted 133 arrests and the confiscation of 63 fake IDs. Possession of a fake ID will typically result in an arrest and the seizure of the fake identity document. Individuals who are arrested face administrative action that normally results in a suspension of their license for a minimum of 90 days.

In addition to Operation Prevent, DMV announced several underage-drinking-related measures this summer. First, DMV raised awareness about the perils of purchasing fake IDs over the internet, which is not only illegal but increases the chance of buyers becoming victims of identity fraud and theft. DMV also teamed up with the State Liquor Authority to educate bar owners, security personnel, and service staff of licensed establishments about the security features included within DMV’s new driver licenses, permits, and ID cards issued by the state. 

DMV and GTSC are proactive partners in keeping New Yorkers safe. The GTSC, which funds highway and traffic safety initiatives statewide, worked with New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies this Halloween weekend to support increased patrols to keep drunk and impaired drivers off the road. The agency also works to educate younger drivers about safe driving and the dangers of driving while drunk or impaired. GTSC’s most recent initiative, Coaches Care, is aimed at educating teens about safe driving by encouraging coaches, who have a huge influence on the lives of student athletes, to openly discuss highway and traffic safety.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, seven-day-per-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369).  Parents and caregivers can also visit the OASAS Talk2Prevent website, Talk2Prevent.NY.GOV, for prevention resources including practical information for parents on how to keep the conversation going about the health risks and other dangers of underage drinking and drug use.

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