Alcohol ban ‘cure’ for Square problems

Press, 6 December 1989, Page 9

Alcohol ban ‘cure’ for Square problems

By

BARRY CLARKE

Many of the gang-related problems in Cathedral Square could be solved if the City Council outlawed alcohol there, the police say. The police cannot stop people drinking in the Square unless they are aged under 20 or are causing a disturbance. This makes it difficult for them to keep the peace.

A senior council staff member said yesterday it may be time to look at introducing a by-law because of the large number of people now using the area and a string of recent complaints.

In a gang-related incident on Monday, two men fought among mid-afternoon shoppers near the Cathedral. The fight was stopped by the police before other gang members joined in. The two men had been drinking in the Square earlier, Community Constable Glen Gordon

said. “It was a one-on-one fight. Three others stood around. I saw it start and got over there pretty quick," he said. “This thing probably wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t been drinking. “It’s something the council needs to look at. If they can have a New Year’s Eve by-law banning alcohol, maybe they should enforce it all of the time.”

Until the incident on Monday, the Square had been relatively quiet for about 10 weeks, when a series of complaints were received from retailers and foodstall owners, Constable Gordon said. “They were of a disorderly nature. We had up to about nine

gang members and some skinheads hanging around. There was urinating and vomiting... it all goes back to alcohol.” Constable Gordon has been based in the Square for several years. Most people who played up were “0.k.” when they had not been drinking. “Ninety per cent of the guys you can talk to when they are sober. I know them, they know me. Get them when they’re drunk and it’s like talking to a brick wall. “I don’t talk to the gang members any differently than I’d talk I to anyone else. If there was a team of (drunk) rugby players playing up I’d tell them the same thing.” The police have the power to disperse a group of three or more people if they or others believe violence is about to occur, is occurring, or there has been the threat of. intimida-

tion. The attacker and his associates were moved on by the police after the victim refused to lay a complaint. The City Council’s assistant director of housing and property, Mr John Beauchamp, said it was a “possibility” the council would look at an alcohol ban. “It is the sort of thing I would like to be aired. In the old days there were just bikies and gang members, not too many members of the public in the Square, and we didn’t have to worry about it,” he said. Activities and food stalls had attracted many more people, which could warrant a look at the situation, he said. The Mayor, Ms Vicki Buck, said she was not aware of any problem with alcohol in the Square. She was sure if there was the issue would be raised by council staff.