Caption: This is the poster warning would-be troublemakers
Photo source: www.theshout.com
NSW Police have joined forces with ClubsNSW and the Australian Hotels Association (NSW) to warn holiday revellers and patrons of the harsh penalties that await them if they misbehave. Patrons that are asked to leave a venue due when asked to, will face penalties of $550.
This is what the website theShout.com.au had to say:
The ‘STOP! Is it worth $550?’ campaign warns patrons that they will be fined $550 by police if they refuse to leave a licensed venue when asked by the club or hotel when violent, drunk or disorderly.
The campaign will see posters, beer coasters and flyers placed in prominent places throughout clubs and hotels warning patrons that they face a hefty fine if they don’t leave when told. It will also run on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter sites.
A video highlighting the $550 fine will also run on plasma screens in the 4,000 clubs and pubs statewide whilst a radio commercial will also be aired.
The joint move by police, clubs and pubs comes after police issued a record number of fines to people who refused to leave a licensed premise when instructed to during last month’s Operation Unite.
Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said the recent ‘Operation Unite’ proves that some patrons don’t realise that when they’ve had too much to drink and licensees ask them to leave – by law, they have to leave.
“We want everyone to enjoy summer and by all means, enjoy a drink, but stop before you’ve had too much, stop before you are asked to leave, stop before you refuse to leave and definitely stop before you become anti-social or violent.”
The CEO of the AHA NSW Paul Nicolaou said even though assault rates on licensed premises are at the lowest levels in a decade there are still some problematic patrons who are not getting the message and ruining the fun for everyone.
Police have reiterated that patrons need to be responsible for their actions over this time because of the huge numbers of people that will be out and about over the holidays. Pubs, clubs and hotels across the state are cooperating with police to ensure their customers have a good, trouble free time and that their venue retains its good name.
Assaults are also at a record low according to Clubs NSW CEO Anthony Ball because of the diligence of clubs and pubs that are holding people accountable for doing the wrong thing.
Authorities will continue this attitude of zero tolerance into 2013, in an attempt to keep disorderly behaviour at bay. Another important consideration is that people organise safe transport home and accept a cab if they are offered one.
Peter Cutforth is a Director at Urban E-Learning, a global elearning, OH&S training, and web strategy firm based in Little Edward St. Spring Hill, Brisbane, Australia. Urban E-Learning provides compliance related online , Distance and Face-to-Face training products in the construction, hospitality and heavy vehicle transport sectors, to name a few. Examples include the White Card Construction induction course and the RSA - Responsible Service of Alcohol course. Peter's interests extend to training, safety and compliance, online marketing, and Mobile Apps.
