Local bars have gotten a harsh reality check this semester - Tucson Police Department officers have been paying them regular visits to crack down on underage drinkers using false identification.

Three underage UA students were caught by TPD officers during Friday night's raid at Maloney's, 213 N. Fourth Ave. Two of the students were using other people's IDs, and the third was using a counterfeit ID.

TPD's recent efforts in keeping underage people out of bars are important. However, the police department has taken somewhat drastic and unfair measures to do so. Monitoring a bar for a good portion of an evening, and requiring most customers to show them valid identification is unfair to the business interests of the bar and verges on invasion of privacy.

There is a twofold alternative to halting bearers of false IDs. TPD should continue conducting searches, but they need to be occasional and random spot checks. Also, local bars need to take the initiative and be more strict about whom they let in.

Continuing the style of monitoring that they have been using this semester could eventually drive business away from bars, for legal drinkers will not want the burden of police officers looking over their shoulders every time they engage in a legal activity.