More Naperville bars may eventually be using ID scanners to help keep out underage and troublesome patrons.
However, whether those scanners will be installed voluntarily and who will be paying for them remains to be seen.
“If we can encourage our establishments to use this, especially those who have had some difficulties with their operations, I think that would be great,” Councilman Steve Chirico said.
Naperville councilmen on Tuesday agreed to pursue more research on the scanners. The move comes following the implementation of new regulations earlier this month that lower maximum beer sizes, prohibit patrons from entering or re-entering bars an hour before closing time and ban shots in the final hour.
The regulations were spurred by an alleged drunken driving crash that killed two men and video of a downtown street fight that went viral. Councilmen also have cited a 2012 incident in which an elementary school teacher was stabbed to death after stepping in the middle of a downtown bar fight.
While discussing the new regulations this fall, councilmen asked city staff to bring back more information about ID scanners. Police Chief Bob Marshall said Tuesday they were “very very effective” for a downtown bar having trouble several years ago and several councilmen agreed.
“I think this goes a long way in helping not only law enforcement, but also the liquor commissioner to have the ability to enforce the law,” Councilman Grant Wehrli said.
However, Mike DiSanto, a city prosecutor, said there have been legal challenges in some places where the scanners have been mandated by government and data is accessed by police.
Councilwoman Judy Brodhead was among those who agreed the scanners could come in handy, but should not be mandatory.
“It’s an expense even if it’s a minor expense,” she said.
Councilman Bob Fieseler said he would prefer to see scanners that don’t record so the city and bar owners don’t get entangled in having to provide the records for court cases like custody battles.
The city will put out a request for information with responses due Nov. 12. In the meantime, some downtown bars on their own initiative have been using a group messaging system to better communicate with each other about problems that arise.