U. Police cite 14 underage patrons in two bar checks

They started the semester with a warning to all underage drinkers — armed with a new $30,000 grant from Gov. Martin O'Malley's Office of Crime Control and Prevention, University Police officers would be entering bars to recheck IDs.

Tuesday night, they made good on their word. Officers entered two downtown bars for the first time, resulting in 11 citations to underage drinkers at the Barking Dog and three to such patrons at R.J. Bentley's, according to University Police spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky.

Before University Police officers entered the bars Tuesday night, they told the establishment's owners and managers that they would not be held responsible for any fake identification cards or underage drinkers found that night.

"We would have to prove that they did not do their job," Limansky said. "Just because someone got in with a fake ID doesn't mean they didn't take the appropriate steps to check them at the door, but it's something we need to continue to monitor."

Once inside, police picked patrons at random, asking to see their IDs and questioning them about the facts on their cards, Limansky said. Police did not use scanners, but officers were trained beforehand in false identification recognition, Limansky said. Those caught with fake IDs or drinking underage were issued a citation — criminal charges which result in a fine between $500 and $1,000, based on a judge's ruling.

University Police Chief David Mitchell said the department chose the two bars at random — and officers will continue to periodically perform ID check-ups inside different bars, Limansky said.

Barking Dog manager Aaron Thompson said the establishment prides itself on a strict no underage drinking policy — differing from its former tenant Thirsty Turtle, which saw its liquor license revoked last semester after two underage police aides were served alcohol at its bar.

"We absolutely do our best to keep underage patrons out after a certain time," Thompson said. "Everyone loves to rage and bitch that we only let 21 and up in, but before a certain time, underage can get in here. During times we let underage in, we mark in their hands and the 21-year-olds are getting wrist bands."

Thompson added that IDs are scanned at the door, and Mebaa Braha — who was the event's DJ — said Tuesday's event, "Loose Tuesday," was for over-21-year-olds only.

Limansky said although 11 citations in a single night at one establishment is relatively high, police believe Thompson and his coworkers are doing their best to prevent underage patrons from being served alcohol.

"The 11 citations seems kind of high to me, and maybe they could have done better, but nothing says they weren't doing their due diligence," he said.

Throughout the night, Braha said he witnessed officers writing multiple citations.

"I saw more cops outside Barking Dog than I've ever seen outside a bar in my entire collegiate career," the senior public relations major said. "There were cops everywhere."

Braha added that, because his house was broken into two months ago, he finds it concerning police are concentrating on underage drinking inside establishments rather than patrolling the city streets.

"As far as the grant goes, I don't see why that grant would be focusing on underage drinking, as it should be on surveillance on this side of Route 1," he said. "My house [on Gerard Road] was robbed two months ago, and not that much stuff stolen, but it's the idea that I didn't see a single cop near my house when I was walking back last night, only at the bars."

However, Limansky said the grant's purpose is to provide a stronger police presence in the city and does not take any officers away from scheduled patrols in neighborhoods. Additionally, University Police are only allowed to use the grant to combat underage drinking, according to Limansky.

"That is why having the grant money works to our advantage," Limansky said. "It enables us to use individuals above and beyond officers that are already out there. Rather than us having to deal with underage drinking with our normal contingent of staffing, we have officers who are paid by this funding that we can supplement to perform these activities."

egan@umdbk.com