One of the main concerns of the entertainment venue is to be able to accurately and efficiently verify the age of their patrons before they are allowed admittance.  This column will address two particular technologies, one that is more handheld and the other more sophisticated, for better management of safety and security in mixed-age venues.  Many different issues and subjects are briefly touched upon here, and will be discussed in more depth in future columns. 

There are many technological resources available for venues to maintain a safe, law-abiding environment.  The use of technology for the purpose of age verification is now highly important due to the increased availability of fake IDs for minors.  Fake IDs can be made to look so authentic that they are not easily detected with the naked eye, which requires the use of a device specially designed to detect a fraudulent ID.  Two resources that provide a reliable solution to this problem and can also be a great asset to establishments that wish to create a mixed age environment are ID Scanners and wristbands.

One of the most commonly used technological resources for age verification is an ID Scanner.  A popular choice is the ViAge Verifier, which checks the authenticity of an ID by reading either the ID’s magnetic stripe or barcode, depending on the identification model.  It then displays the patron’s age and date of birth on an LCD screen.  The benefit of the ViAge Verifier models is that they are very simple and easy-to-use devices. Scanners, however, are not without risk.  They should be used as an additional tool, not an end-all solution.  Safety staff need to verify that the ID they have scanned matches the person who handed it to them.  For more information, go to: www.viage.com.

Another option is Precision Dynamics Corporation’s electronic age and ID verification system, called AgeBand.  This system also scans the bar code and magnetic stripe of an ID, and then utilizes software from states’ departments of motor vehicles in order to detect fraudulent identification.  The machine then prints out a wristband with the patron’s name, age, as well as “Age 21 Verified” for easy recognition of under and over 21 year old individuals.  Precision Dynamics reports that establishments that have used their AgeBand system have experienced an increase in revenue due to the efficiency and enhanced speed in which a patron’s age can be verified at the bar by simply checking their wristband before issuing them a drink.  For more information, go to: www.pdcorp.com

Upon comparing the ID Scanner and wristband system, there are advantages and disadvantages for both devices.  Both products can collect highly useful demographic data such as the age and sex of their patrons, which (in some cities and states) can later be used for marketing purposes.  In terms of size, however, the handheld ViAge Verifier models are far more compact and portable, while the AgeBand system uses a larger, slightly less mobile cart on wheels that houses both a computer screen/ID Scanner as well as a wristband printer. 

Although both devices can be valuable resources for the mixed-age venue, an ID Scanner may actually be more practical for a purely over 21 environment, while the AgeBand system may be better suited for the mixed-age venue.  The primary purpose of the ID Scanner is to detect underage individuals, and presumably to prohibit them from entering an establishment that serves alcohol.  In order for the ViAge Verifier models to be used in a mixed-age environment, the venue would have to provide their own form of marker that would enable them to distinguish between under and over 21 patrons, such as a stamp, pen mark, or colored wristband.  The AgeBand system, meanwhile, seems to be more conducive to the mixed-age entertainment venue, since it not only scans a patron’s ID, but also provides the means for distinguishing between the ages of patrons so it would be possible for them to interact in the same environment.  The AgeBand system thus appears to be inherently geared for both the prevention of underage drinking and also the admission of 18-20 year olds into an environment where alcohol is present.    

Unfortunately, variations in state policies for identification cards can make these kinds of devices ineffective in certain areas.  Both the ID Scanner and AgeBand system authenticate an ID by verifying its magnetic stripe and/or bar code, however, not all states require these components on their drivers’ licenses and ID cards.  Regardless, they are still effective in almost all states and provinces in both the U.S. and Canada. 

Technological devices such as ID Scanners and wristband systems are resources that make it possible to create a safe and successful mixed-age environment.  The legacy that Millennials will leave for future generations of Americans is the encouragement to utilize available technologies to their fullest capacity to make our lives easier.  It is about time that late night entertainment venues follow suit to make way for a new breed of American youth!

Future columns related to the mixed-age entertainment venue will investigate other uses (other than age verification) of these technological resources and how they can benefit relevant stakeholders, such as bar owners, the police, and entertainment districts.  I will also later address the creation and effectiveness of fake IDs, as well as privacy issues related to ID Scanners.