Role of Surveillance and Security in Preventing Underage Alcohol Sales

Every store or bar owner who sells alcohol faces the challenge of ensuring their products are not in the wrong hands. Preventing underage drinking is not only a legal duty but a moral one, as the implications of failure can be significant.

Surveillance and security measures in liquor stores are the front lines in the battle against underage alcohol sales. These tools are instrumental in maintaining a controlled environment where only those of legal age can make purchases, directly contributing to underage drinking prevention.

Yet, despite the best security measures, the challenge remains significant. Minors often find new ways to circumvent the barriers put in place, which puts ongoing pressure on retailers to innovate and remain one step ahead.

As a business owner, being one step ahead with surveillance and security can bring peace of mind. So, let’s explore how to stop underage drinking in liquor stores with surveillance, as well as the forms of security measures and challenges with these.

Why You Should Know How To Prevent Underage Drinking in Liquor Stores

With the legal drinking age set firmly at 21, preventing underage drinking is a top priority for store owners. One of the most effective ways to keep on top of this issue is through robust surveillance systems.

Surveillance serves as a critical deterrent against underage alcohol sales. South Carolina law is stringent when it comes to selling alcohol to minors, and the penalties for non-compliance can be severe. Surveillance systems help ensure that all transactions are monitored and recorded, providing a reliable way to verify that sales are conducted legally.

Furthermore, the visual presence of cameras in a liquor store sends a clear message to potential underage buyers: their actions are being watched. This alone can be a significant deterrent, reducing the likelihood of minors even attempting to purchase alcohol.

For employees, surveillance cameras provide an extra layer of security and accountability, helping them adhere strictly to the age verification protocols required by law, and allowing employers to effectively monitor whether employees are adhering to the protocols.

Finally, effective surveillance also aids in protecting the store from other liabilities, such as theft and fraud. High-definition cameras that cover all angles of the store, especially the point of sale, ensure that every transaction is transparent and traceable. In case of disputes or legal challenges, video footage can be invaluable in proving due diligence and compliance with the law.

Types of Security Measures Commonly Used To Monitor Alcohol Sales

There are several effective security measures retailers commonly use to monitor alcohol sales.

• Video Surveillance: Cameras are positioned strategically throughout the store to capture all transactions and interactions. This not only helps in monitoring sales but also acts as a deterrent against underage attempts to buy alcohol.

• ID Scanners: These devices quickly calculate age from the data in an ID’s barcode, and quality scanners can help verify the authenticity of identification cards presented by customers.

• Point-of-Sale Systems: These systems require age verification before a sale can be completed. They prompt cashiers to check and enter the age or scan the ID of the purchaser, ensuring compliance with legal age restrictions.

• Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS): Commonly used in retail, EAS tags can be placed on alcohol bottles. These tags trigger alarms if someone attempts to remove the bottles from the store without proper deactivation at checkout.

• Manual Checks: Employees are trained to check IDs and recognize fake ones manually. Personal interaction also allows staff to assess the behavior and physical appearance of purchasers for signs of underage status.

Requirements for Effective Surveillance in Alcohol-Selling Establishments

To be effective in preventing unlawful sales, surveillance systems should be designed to adequately monitor the areas where alcohol is displayed and transactions occur. Systems that capture clear, continuous footage can be used to verify compliance with age verification laws and other regulatory requirements. This footage is crucial for day-to-day operations and provides evidence in legal proceedings should the need arise.

Surveillance footage should be retained for a specific period, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. A reasonable retention period is crucial to ensure there is a sufficient record of activities to review in case of disputes over sales practices or accusations of selling alcohol to minors.

Responsible sellers of alcohol should prioritize keeping their surveillance equipment functional and well-maintained. Regular checks and maintenance should be scheduled to ensure cameras and recording systems are operational at all times. A failure in the surveillance system can not only lead to legal issues but can also affect a business’s reputation in the community.

Challenges in Implementing Effective Security Systems

Implementing effective security systems to prevent underage alcohol sales certainly has its rewards, but it doesn’t come without its challenges.

• Surveillance Equipment Is Costly: High-quality surveillance equipment and advanced age verification technologies can be expensive. It’s not just the initial outlay; maintenance costs can also add up, making it a significant financial commitment for small businesses.

• The Complexity of Surveillance Systems: Technology is fantastic when it works, but setting up and maintaining sophisticated security systems requires a certain level of technical know-how. For many store owners, this means either spending time learning these new systems themselves or hiring specialists, which can add to the operational costs.

• Training and Vigilance Is Required: Even with the best technology in place, human factors play a crucial role. Ensuring that all employees are trained and vigilant in using the systems effectively is a constant endeavor. Staff turnover can complicate this, as new employees need to be brought up to speed and experienced employees need periodic refreshers to stay sharp.

• Privacy Concerns: With cameras peering over every transaction, customers might feel their privacy is compromised. Balancing security needs with respecting customer privacy is a delicate task and requires thoughtful placement and management of surveillance equipment.

A Note on ID Scanners

Although most ID scanning devices can quickly calculate age from the data in an ID’s barcode, only quality scanners with appropriate algorithms can help verify the authenticity of identification cards presented by customers. A quality scanner can help guarantee that only legal-age individuals can purchase alcohol, but some retailers opt for less expensive scanners that lack the functionality to help determine whether an ID is valid. A scanner without the necessary algorithms is nothing but a calculator, providing the appearance of verifying the age of a purchaser without actually doing so.

Contact Our Experienced Liquor Liability Attorneys

South Carolina’s Supreme Court has held that the statutes prohibiting alcohol sales to minors “are designed to prevent harm to the minor who purchased the alcohol and to members of the public harmed by the minor’s consumption of that alcohol.”  Whitlaw v. Kroger, 306 S.C. 51, 54, 410 S.E.2d 251, 253 (1991).

Because alcohol sales to minors are so dangerous, preventing underage drinking is not just a legal responsibility—it’s a moral one as well. Responsible business owners want to ensure that their establishment is a safe and responsible place for the community, and implementing robust security measures can help achieve this goal.

Unfortunately, some business owners are not responsible and do not do their part to prevent sales. At David R. Price, Jr., P.A., we understand the complexities of underage drinking prevention and the danger that results from businesses that do not make reasonable efforts to prevent them.

Our experienced liquor liability attorneys are well-versed in the laws and regulations that govern alcohol sales, and we are prepared to seek justice from businesses that do not do their part to protect kids and other members of our community. Contact our experienced liquor liability attorneys at [phone] for a free consultation.