A TOTAL of 169 revellers have been barred from Wagga’s pubs, clubs and bars, with 68 of those banned forever.
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The liquor accord’s heavily fluctuating list has peaked tremendously this week after just 95 people remained barred in January, 2016.
Of those 95, only 36 had received lifetime bans.
Those included on the lifetime ban list had either been implicated in on-going drugs and violence issues, or were involved in serious crimes.
Questions have surfaced over how repentant party-goers can have themselves removed from the “barred one, barred all” list.
The Daily Advertiser understands implicated residents can write to publicans in order to express their remorse and have their bans overturned.
Publican and Wagga Liquor Accord treasurer Sean O’Hara said the problem is gradually increasing in prevalence.
“Unfortunately, the number of people on our barred list is increasing at a rapid rate,” he said.
“It shows we need to be on the front foot with these behaviours.
“It doesn’t matter how many times you deliver the message, some people don’t get it.”
It comes after a Wagga teenager broke her silence after serving a year-long ban in hopes it would deter others from falling into the same pattern.
Charlee McPherson told The Daily Advertiser in December that the lock out had a severe impact on her friendships and happiness.
“The stress it put on me was phenomenal,” she said
“I couldn’t even go out with my family to get a meal.”
She has since made amends – volunteering to share her story with students at Wagga’s secondary schools.
Her actions prompted Wagga police’s licensing supervisor Sergeant Nigel Turney to believe a lot of the issues came down to education.
“People don’t know their limits,” Sgt Turney said.
However, he added that attitudes have improved over the years.
“We’ve even received feedback that other patrons are telling others to settle down to avoid being put on the banned list.”
The accord has also worked hard to introduce a string of measures to minimise alcohol-fuelled violence – a stance Sgt Turney applauded.
The latest initiative is scanning technology being introduced in some pubs, allowing for better collaboration.