Committee debates ID checks and wristbands for events serving alcohol

Committee members discussed event safety and liquor permit logistics ahead of upcoming festivals that will serve alcohol, focusing on who should perform ID checks and how to mark patrons who are of legal drinking age.

"The one thing that we don't ask volunteers to do is ID checks," a committee member said, arguing volunteers lack training to spot fake IDs and that paid ID checkers could prevent liability. Members debated wristbands versus stamps for proof of age; one member said they prefer wristbands because stamps can be transferred or removed and "the stamps wash away" or be shared. Staff added that beverage vendors may secure wristbands through their distributors at no charge and that temporary pouring permits typically require a nonprofit fiduciary to collect proceeds and cover staffing costs.

Why it matters: decisions about ID checks and wristband systems affect liability, event flow, and vendor operations at large public events; the committee leaned toward hiring trained ID checkers and using wristbands to reduce transfer or fraud risk.