Brown Jug installs ID scanners

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A successful pilot program that started a year ago at the Brown Jug at the intersection of Tudor Road and Elmore Road has employees and customers relieved.

The Patronscan ID scanning system has created a safer environment for both patrons and staff by reducing violence and theft by 92% according Afognak Commercial Group Vice President Ana Fisk.

“It has been a blessing all around. It’s been a blessing for our customers, it’s been a blessing for our employees who feel like they’re working and customers are shopping in a much safer environment,” Fisk said.

Since its initial success, five other scanners have been installed on Brown Jug locations on Tudor Road, Muldoon Road, Bragaw Street, Fireweed Lane and Downtown.

To gain entry into these locked Brown Jug stores, patrons flip over their IDs and place them underneath the Patronscan. Once the ID is underneath the scanner, a green light will show, meaning access has been granted. If a red light flashes, access had been denied.

“What is does is it prohibits folks with expired IDs, or who are underage, or who are using a fake ID to get in,” Fisk said.

The Canadian software was tested in sub zero temperatures and built to withstand Alaskan weather. It can recognize IDs such as drivers licenses, foreign and domestic passports, and military IDs. Information from you ID is stored and the erased after 30 days.

Three more ‘Patronscan’ scanners are set to be installed this year at the Brown Jug locations at the intersection of Northern Lights Boulevard and Lake Otis Parkway, Minnesota Drive and Spenard Road, and Northern Lights Boulevard and Boniface Parkway.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Afognak Commercial Group Vice President Ana Fisk’s name.

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