IT might sound extreme, but perhaps the level of anti-social behaviour is now at a stage where lengthy bans from licensed premises are the only solution.
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Members of the Orange Liquor Accord, a group similar to the one in Wagga, are investigating the possibility of banning people from venues for up to 20 years for unruly behaviour.
While many of the initiatives introduced in Wagga have had a positive effect in containing the level of violence both in the venues and on the streets, there remains a very real challenge to attack the problem further.
Already some hotels in Wagga have a rule where if you are removed from one venue you won’t be allowed access to others – but that isn’t uniform across the city and predominantly covers those venues located in Baylis Street.
Efforts are under way to see that extended to all hotels and clubs which would again enhance its effectiveness.
Whether a 20-year ban would have any further impact is hard to judge – people under the influence of alcohol don’t always think rationally in the heat of the moment – but it certainly has the potential to be another weapon on the armoury for venue operators and local law enforcement agencies desperate to minimise harm in the community through the abuse of alcohol.
Wagga can be proud of its leadership on this issue, being one of the first in the state to implement a policy of a 1.30am lockout across all venues.
A number of agencies are involved in the local accord, and it has been this high degree of co-operation that has ensured its success. But there are always ways to improve it.
Those who consume alcohol need to be reminded that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our community, and offenders will be punished.
The implementation of an effective CCTV system in the CBD, currently before the Wagga City Council for consideration, will merely enhance the ability of police to make sure those who cross the line are dealt with.
It is this wide-ranging approach to a challenging problem that has seen Wagga become a leader in dealing with this issue.