By BERNADETTE GIACOMAZZO
The message was clear: at the upcoming St. Patrick-s Day celebrations and all such occasions, there will be no tolerance for violations. We will be out in full force on these days, said Quinn, the commanding officer of operations, referring to festivities on March 17 as well as the day of the Rockville Centre parade, said to be the largest on Long Island, on March 29. No one will get a free pass. Even if my daughter asked me for a favor, I-d tell the officers to write her a ticket.
State Liquor Authority investigator Howard L. Rosen spoke to the group for nearly two hours and addressed concerns ranging from new liquor laws to bar owners- responsibilities. Rosen reminded them that it is a bar owner-s job to maintain an orderly, law-abiding establishment, free of illegal drugs, gambling and prostitution.
A liquor license is not a right, said Rosen. It-s a privilege. And with this privilege comes
responsibility.
Rosen reminded the owners to adhere to strict guidelines. For example, it is against the law for anyone to serve alcohol to minors or to a visibly intoxicated person; failure to comply is an arrestable offense. And we will arrest you, promised Rosen.
The advice extended to the public as well, with an admonition that tailgate parties and drinking along the parade route are also prohibited.
In addition, Rosen told the bar and restaurant owners to keep their liquor licenses in prominent view photocopies are not acceptable, he said and to post the requisite government warning signs about drinking while pregnant and false ID-s.
Aside from the owners- responsibilities to screen for fake ID-s, Rosen said that he, and the State Liquor Authority, were taking extra measures to inform those who are under the legal drinking age of their responsibilities as well. Presenting false documents is a Class D felony, if I recall correctly, he said. And I promise you, if I-m there, and I see it, I will be the complainant, and I will have the violator arrested and prosecuted.
Rosen said that his seemingly harsh approach to reckless drinking grew out of personal experience. Early on in my career, I used to be the one who would have to make the phone call telling people that their son or daughter was never coming home again, because he or she was killed by a drunk driver, he said. So, I look at things a little differently.
The State Liquor Authority provided several tips for checking identification documents. Aside from scrutinizing the date of birth and the photo, the SLA recommends checking the document for less obvious signs of tampering, such as jagged laminate edges, bumps and uneven surfaces, and erased ink or other alterations.
In addition, the SLA states that the only acceptable forms of identification are a valid driver-s license, a valid passport, or an armed forces identification card.
If you-re in doubt, said Rosen, don-t hesitate to turn the person away. And if you need to call the police, call 911 to get a taped record of what-s going on [for proof that you called]. We-re here to help you, after all.
Comments about this story? BGiacomazzo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 240.
