Bronx sting spurs call for tougher underage drinking law

After a one-week sting operation in which the State Liquor Authority discovered 26 Bronx retailers sold booze to minors, some legislators are calling for even stronger laws to dry up underage drinking sales.

Senate co-leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) and Assemb. Marcos Crespo (D-Bronx) called for legislation yesterday that will legalize the confiscation of fake IDs by store employees and encourage merchants to purchase ID-scanning devices for $300 to $800 in lieu of paying fines of as much as $5,000. The proposal would also increase fines and community service time for minors caught using fake IDs and allow serial makers of fake IDs to be sued, in some instances under "dram shop liability."

National data reveals that almost 31% of underage drinkers paid for their own liquor, Crespo said in a statement, adding, "It is obvious that New York needs to do more to eliminate fake IDs as a tool available to our youth for accessing alcohol."

"We have the technology to stop underage sales -- now we need to get it into every retailer across the Bronx," added Klein.