Law enforcement has been cracking down on fake IDs in Saratoga County and particularly at SPAC. YNN's C.J. Spang has more on the efforts to make SPAC even more enjoyable.
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- When the Dave Matthews Band performed at SPAC on Friday and Saturday, local law enforcement confiscated nearly 70 fake IDs according to Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy.
Murphy said, "I think we're seeing an increase in kids getting them on the internet, certainly through these fake ID mills. And I think we're seeing stepped up enforcement by local law enforcement agencies to find them and get them off the streets."
"It seems to be something that's a trend, but it's not going to be a trend at SPAC. We want people to come here, enjoy the wonderful season, the summer. Because they are part of what the SPAC experience is. It's the audience," said SPAC Executive Director Marcia White.
Besides being illegal, officials say identity theft is a serious unintended consequence from ordering a fake IDs. They say between the time an ID is ordered to the time it arrives, a person's real identity is sold at least seven times.
"We see this across the country, that IDs are purchased online from overseas, yet those real identities are then sold at a high price, to really, the highest bidder," Murphy said.
Murphy says confiscating the fake IDs is due in large part to SPAC's Zero Tolerance for Alcohol Policy. Officials say enforcement of the policy is a successful collaborative effort, designed to make the venue even more enjoyable.
Murphy said, "Eighty percent drop in assault cases. Three hundred percent drop in sex abuse cases. Huge decrease in violent crime. No felonies at any Dave Matthews concert. 50,000 people. A home run as far as we're concerned."