Building Better Security Finding the Right Tools for the Job of Age-Verification
The commonly used phrase “tools of the trade” can be found in every
single job, profession or trade across our country, including our line
of work within the hospitality industry. In this article, we will
discuss one category of tool: The tools used to assist in the
verification of someone’s age.
The Scan
Identification scanners can be extremely valuable tools, if you
have the correct piece of equipment for the job. Ask yourself exactly
what you want the equipment to do and what the equipment can do for
you. Do you need to simply want to verify the document being scanned?
Do you want to create a database of scanned documents? Do you want to
create a mailing list from the scanned documents? What about creating a
banned or barred list?
Can the employees easily learn about and use the device? What about
updating the software or hardware for new and improved forms of
identification? There are scanners that can do all of this and more;
you need to be sure what is right for your operation.
An important point to remember about ID scanners is that if the
employees can’t or won’t use them, they are a waste of money. A scanner
must be easy to understand and use so it’s a useful tool, not a burden.
Tagging Your Patrons
All right, you have scanned the ID, and the customer is of age. Now what?
There are certain serious considerations when you are running an
all-ages venue or are allowing in and out privileges or want to
determine who has paid their cover charge. You are either marking
wrists with a magic marker, stamping hands with a descriptive ink color
or are using some sort of colored wristband. These are the most common
methods used.
Let’s focus our discussion on wristbands and how to use them
properly. Wristbands, like ID scanners, can be very helpful as long as
they are used as they were designed.
As with any tool of the trade, proper training on how to correctly
secure the wristband to a patron’s wrist is critical. This training can
be given by the wristband manufacturer or from another employee who
actually has had the correct training, but any employee who is going to
be working the door and securing the bands on wrists must be properly
trained to help prevent problems.
Whether you are buying wristbands from a box or an ID scanner to
only read a magnetic stripe, slow down, ask questions and ask to speak
to other clients the supplier may have. NCB
Robert C. Smith is president and CEO of Hospitality & Security
Alliance Inc., a training, education and consulting company focused and
dedicated to the hospitality industry and its employees. Drop him a
line at
