A POLICE operation targeting alcohol related crime in the Port Macquarie CBD could be extended to Wauchope.
With an increase in vandalism in and around the Wauchope CBD, and alcohol-fulled crimes seemingly becoming more prevalent, the police operation in Port Macquarie will be closely monitored.
Police confirmed that a similar operation was ‘not off limits’ for Wauchope.
Police said the Port Macquarie operation would target the CBD area which features late trading licensed premises, restaurants, takeaways outlets, a busy taxi rank and public reserves, not unlike Wauchope.
“There currently exists a culture of binge drinking and alcohol abuse within the CBD, which is made up of patrons from licensed premises, non licensed premises patrons, underage street drinkers and regular social patrons,” a police spokesperson said.
“This culture has been attributed to associated crime factors such as, assaults, malicious damage and street offences, such as offensive conduct, language.
“Illicit drugs appear to also be a contributing factor to the behaviour of patrons in the CBD during the early hours.
“The operation will involve high visibility policing to address alcohol related crime throughout the Port Macquarie CBD involving all police carrying out sustained and consistent enforcement action against anti social behaviour and crime in line with State Plan Priorities of, Reduced rates of crime, particularly violent crime and reduced levels of anti social behaviour.”
Police and licensee’s of licensed premises are now armed with additional powers, due to the introduction of the new Liquor Act 2007, which came into affect on 1 July, 2008.
Patrons need to understand that they can be ejected or refused entry to a licensed premises if they are considered intoxicated, violent, quarrelsome, disorderly, smoke in smoke-free area’s, suspected of possessing a prohibited drug, or behaving in a way that causes the licensee to commit an offence under liquor laws.
Patrons that are ejected from licensed venue’s need to understand that when they are asked to leave that they are required by law to leave the venue immediately and leave the vicinity of the premises.
In addition the patron must not re-enter or attempt to re-enter the premises within 24 hours, and must not re-enter the vicinity within 6 hours.
It should be noted that a patron that fails to comply commits an offence.
They will be issued with a $550 penalty notice or be arrested and placed before a Court, with a maximum court penalty being $5500.
“If a patron continually comes under notice for failing to comply, a banning order can be applied for to prevent that patron from entering that licensed premises and in some instances other licensed premises within the Port Macquarie area,” the police said.
This application is made with the new Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority.
Email a friend
Favourites
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Digg
StumbleUpon
MySpace
Reddit
Newsvine
LinkedIn
Kwoff