Anaheim to Revise Its ID Card Ordinance

Responding to criticism from local unions and civil liberties activists, Anaheim city officials said Friday they plan to modify an ordinance requiring certain workers to hold police-issued identification cards.

The ordinance requires janitors, bartenders, models and employees of alcohol-selling establishments to get the cards or face misdemeanor charges and fines.

Some employees have complained about a one-page questionnaire, required before cards are issued, which asks about citizenship status, arrest history and identifying marks. The ordinance also requires them to be fingerprinted and photographed at the police department.

In a meeting Friday with union leaders, city officials conceded the application process goes too far. City Atty. Jack White declined to say what changes might be made until a study is done, but said ID cards are useful.

“It’s clear that we need to make some changes to it,” he said. “But we’re not prepared to simply repeal it at this time. The police chief believes that this is an important tool . . . in controlling crime.”