Strategy to. Reduce Alcohol-related Harm. in Palmerston North. (consultation draft)

Transcription

1 Strategy to Reduce Alcohol-related Harm in Palmerston North (consultation draft)

2 Acknowledgments The principal author is Ross Quayle, a Policy Consultant based in Palmerston North. The Strategy is produced by the Safety Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB purpose and composition is described further in section 15 of the Strategy. The SAB acknowledges the support of the Crime Prevention Unit of the Ministry of Justice in preparing the Strategy. 2

3 Contents 1. Executive Summary Introduction Principles The Local Context Demographics Issues and risks Liquor Licensing and supply of alcohol Intoxication in public Late-night behaviour and safety in the central city Underage drinking Safe transport options for people visiting the central city at night Education & Information Goals, Objectives and Actions Review and Reporting Producers of the Strategy: The Safety Advisory Board Key Stakeholders Annex 1 National Alcohol Policy Framework Annex 2 Responses from Mayoral Forum

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5 1. Executive Summary This strategy aims to reduce alcohol-related harm in Palmerston North City. Alcohol harm has been identified as a key social issue by government and many separate agencies, based on national and international research. Alcohol-related harm is very broadly defined. The Strategy recognises the positive side of alcohol as part of vibrant city nightlife; and notes that despite any problems alcohol creates Palmerston North is still relatively safe to visit after dark, and is improving its safety performance. The Police rank all police districts for reduction (or increase) in crime statistics, and Palmerston North ranks 10 th best for reduction in crime in the last five years. This strategy is community based and pragmatic. Therefore, the Strategy concentrates on the key target of intoxication and late-night behaviour in the central business district, and does not address what happens outside the central business district or in private homes. This emphasis is justified by expressed public concern about the issue; by the large proportion of young adults in the city and their need for vibrant (but safe) nightlife; and by the large number of visitors to the region. Alcohol licensing and distribution is primarily controlled by legislation and a central licensing authority. Palmerston North City Council operates as a District Licensing Agency under the Act. The Council will prepare a Liquor Licensing operational guideline, to assist the decisions of license applicants and decision makers towards outcomes that fit with the Strategy. The Strategy seeks support from the community in reducing alcohol-related harm. The Strategy advocates change at a national level to reduce the massmarketing of cut-price alcohol that is prevalent in the community, and which contributes significantly to alcohol-related harm. The Strategy is supported by the Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ), which will undertake a project to increase cooperation between onlicensed premises in the central business district. The Strategy supports existing and ongoing measures such as the PNCC liquor ban area; the Safe City Hosts; the Police action to enforce the law, including the liquor ban; the safe transport initiatives between Massey University and the City, and Linton Camp and the City; and Education programmes run by the key stakeholders. The Strategy also includes short term action items. 5

6 A report to Council on achievements under the Strategy will be prepared every six months. The reports will include progress on the action items, updated statistics on alcohol offences in the CBD from Police Alcolink figures, and fighting and disorder incidents reported by Safe City Hosts. The SAB will review the Strategy 12 months after its adoption. 2. Introduction Alcohol-related harm is a broad term used to encompass a range of negative effects resulting from consumption of alcohol: including anti-social behaviour that is disorderly, threatening, offensive, violent or criminal; behaviour that results in injury or death from assaults, road crashes or personal accidents; lost productivity, absenteeism and accidents; and longterm health consequences. At a national level alcohol-related harm has been identified as a key social issue. Government has prepared and recently reviewed the National Alcohol Strategy Many agencies are directing effort at the issue and have prepared their own complementary strategies. Many of those agencies are represented in Palmerston North together with local agencies, which means that many actions and initiatives are already under way. Annex 1 contains a list of agencies and strategies known to be addressing the issue of alcohol-related harm in New Zealand. Note that this is certainly not a comprehensive list. A huge amount of research supports the extent of the problem. Overseas studies suggest that between 50-70% of all police work is associated in some way with alcohol 1. ACC 2 estimate the total cost of alcohol-related harm in New Zealand as more than $2 billion yearly, and this excludes mortality costs. ACC also report that 33,500 disability adjusted life years were lost due to alcohol in NZ Police collect data through their Alcolink system. This notes, for every arrest made, whether alcohol was involved: based on what the offence was; what the arrested person said; and sometimes (e.g. if the person is uncooperative or unconscious) only the arresting officer s opinion. The percentages vary substantially over the days of the week, and with the time of day. 10% of all arrests on Tuesdays involve alcohol, rising to 60% on Saturdays. The proportion involving alcohol is even higher in the late-night hours, peaking at about 2.00 a.m. Over 70% of offenders that Police arrest on Friday, Sat and Sun at night ( hrs) are affected by alcohol. 3 1 NZ Police Alcohol Action Plan ACC Alcohol Background Information 3 NZ Police Alcolink data. 6

7 Informed opinion universally identifies binge drinking, which leads to extreme intoxication, as the major social aspect of the issue. Many national initiatives, such as the it s not the drinking, it s the way we re drinking campaign, seek to change the culture around alcohol consumption towards moderation and away from binge drinking. The Alcolink data quoted above is consistent with binge drinking, and a reduction in binge drinking would be expected to show a levelling-off of late-night, weekend, alcohol-related offences. 3. Principles Five principles have been used as a basis for the preparation of this Strategy: 1. community-based 2. inclusive 3. pragmatic 4. results focussed 5. living document Community-based means that the strategy seeks to engage all the key agencies in Palmerston North in actions for a common purpose. The key stakeholders listed in section 16 undertake to use their best endeavours in support of the Strategy. The contents reflect community opinion in Palmerston North, both through the wide range of stakeholder organisations, and direct from members of the public via the Mayoral Forum and submissions on the public draft. Inclusive means that the strategy belongs to everyone, and all groups and individuals can contribute to its success through their own actions and their attitudes to alcohol. Pragmatic means the strategy accepts that many relevant actions are happening in many areas already. It does not seek to control or even to list them all, but rather to identify achievable steps which will make a difference in Palmerston North and concentrate on those. It is not realistic to solve this issue in the short term, but it is realistic to improve it. Actions featured will contribute to such improvement through incremental changes in behaviour and attitudes. Pragmatic also means that some areas of alcohol harm in the community do not feature yet. An example is the influence of alcohol on domestic violence. At present there is both a lack of information about its occurrence in Palmerston North; and a lack of identified options, other than national education campaigns, that could make a difference. Results focussed means that the Strategy will measure the problems where it can, and will seek to measure the degree of success its initiatives have. 7

8 Living document means that this is only the start. The Strategy will be reviewed 12 months after adoption with a view to evaluating the first initiatives, and adding further key stakeholders and further initiatives. 4. The Local Context The local context includes both positive and negative aspects of the use of alcohol. The positive side includes the legitimate place of alcohol in the hospitality industry, and as part of vibrant city nightlife. Despite any problems alcohol creates Palmerston North is still relatively safe to visit after dark, and is improving its safety performance. The Police rank all police districts for reduction (or increase) in crime statistics, and Palmerston North ranks 10 th best for reduction in crime in the last five years. Note that its overall ranking in offences committed per capita is 34 th, which still leaves room for further improvement. The negative side includes all aspects of the global concern about harm from alcohol. The Strategy assumes that Palmerston North is not radically different from other communities, and that harm from alcohol exists in Palmerston North as elsewhere. This strategy is community based and concentrates on what specific actions can be taken here at a community level, while noting that many people and many agencies are already addressing this issue in many different ways. Specific evidence of local concern over alcohol-related harm comes from the Mayoral Forum held in Palmerston North in July Comments from participants about the problems covered a wide range, including supply and licensing issues, enforcement issues, personal responsibility and decline in moral standards. One obvious and widespread concern was intoxication and late-night behaviour in the central business district, and this has been picked up as the main focus of the Strategy. Approximately 70 people attended the forum, and a summary of the responses from participants is included as Annex Demographics Palmerston North has a population of 75,543 as per the 2006 Census. In many ways it is typical of any city of its size in New Zealand, but two significant points of difference are relevant to the use of alcohol in Palmerston North. Firstly, the distribution of age ranges is far from typical; and secondly the city attracts a considerable number of visitors. 8

9 Chart 1: Age Distribution for Palmerston North and for New Zealand. Total Population (Age group and sex) Palmerston North City, 2006 Census Total Population (Age group and sex) New Zealand, 2006 Census 9

10 Median age in Palmerston North is 31.8 years, whereas in New Zealand the median age is 35.9 years. The reason for the difference is almost entirely in the and age ranges (see Chart 1). Palmerston North has 10.37% of its population in the age range, compared to a national average of 6.73%. The difference is similar for both men and women. Palmerston North contains Massey University, UCOL, International Pacific College and Linton Army base. These institutions contribute to a larger than normal population of young adults who, like young adults everywhere, enjoy city nightlife and for many this includes alcohol. Total visitor nights in Manawatu RTO 4 are estimated at 1.93m in 2006 (Ministry of Tourism figures) and are forecast to rise. This equates to a permanent visitor population of 5,287 in the tourism region (note this is larger than just Palmerston North, including parts of Manawatu, Wanganui, Horowhenua and Rangitikei). Visitors are part of the hospitality industry and can both contribute to, or suffer from, alcohol-related harm. These demographic facts about Palmerston North support an emphasis in the Strategy on behaviour surrounding entertainment, night-life and licensed premises, in particular in the centre of the City, and especially on the busy nights of Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 6. Issues and risks The aspects of alcohol-related harm that have the highest local profile, and which the Strategy initially seeks to address are: liquor licensing and supply of alcohol intoxication in public late-night behaviour and safety in the central city underage drinking safe transport options for people visiting the central city at night. Actions to address these issues are discussed in sections 7 to 13. Some actions overlap more than one of these issues. Aspects of alcohol-related harm that are no doubt present, but which are difficult to address directly in the Strategy include: intoxication in private domestic violence 4 Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO). There are 29 RTO's, they are local government funded bodies responsible for marketing tourism in their regions domestically and internationally. 10

11 road safety alcohol in the workplace issues long term health issues. These latter issues are no doubt present in Palmerston North, but the stakeholders see no specific tools available to address them over and above what Police, social and health agencies are already doing. The SAB hopes that the preparation of the Strategy itself will help, with its advocacy of moderation in the use of alcohol at all times. The SAB also hopes that in future additional stakeholders will join the Strategy and it may be possible to incorporate further initiatives. 7. Liquor Licensing and supply of alcohol. The Sale of Liquor Act establishes the Liquor Licensing Authority, (LLA), which has overall responsibility for the operation of liquor licensing in New Zealand. The District Licensing Agency (DLA) is administered by the Palmerston North City Council, and processes applications for liquor licences within its territorial district under the Sale of Liquor Act. DLA decisions can be challenged by referral to the LLA. The Police, and the public health authorities, also have a statutory role in the processing of applications, which includes the right to see all applications and to recommend appropriate conditions and the suitability of persons applying for licenses. To be effective DLAs must work closely with the Police and public health services. This was highlighted in a recent report by the Controller and Auditor- General 5, who further suggested that a formal agreement between the local DLA, the Police, and the public health services - such as a protocol - would help. The Strategy Stakeholders support an open and collaborative approach to administration of liquor licensing and information sharing. Palmerston North City Council will prepare a Liquor Licensing operational guideline, to assist the decisions of license applicants and decision makers towards outcomes that fit with the Strategy. The guideline will be based on these principles: consultation with interested parties in its preparation collaborative approach with other statutory parties a strong educational focus emphasis on responsible host practices a strong and healthy relationship with licensees, where licensees voluntarily comply with all conditions of their licence and with the Sale of Liquor Act 5 Liquor licensing by territorial authorities, Controller and Auditor-General, November

12 recognition that should licensees fail to meet their responsibilities there are regulatory powers to enforce them re-consideration of options around hours of opening for licensed premises to identify which produces the best outcome for Palmerston North. Some aspects of the Sale of Liquor Act are forever contentious, for example the minimum drinking age. The fact that Parliament uses a conscience vote of MPs rather than a party policy approach to liquor laws makes it harder for local voices, such as the Strategy stakeholders, to influence the making of those laws. However, local voices dealing directly with issues should be heard and the Strategy includes advocating to central government as an initiative, albeit a very slow and uncertain one. A very undesirable feature of the present situation is that government and its institutions are spending much time and effort seeking to moderate alcohol consumption in the community, while supermarkets and other off-licenses are responding to their commercial incentives by promoting alcohol extensively and cutting its price dramatically. These actions are obviously at cross purposes. The stakeholders believe that supermarkets should be restrained in some way, and they are most unlikely to do so voluntarily in a competitive marketplace. The SAB supports a national ban on price advertising by supermarkets, or similar measures that will prevent the mass marketing of cheap liquor. 8. Intoxication in public While intoxication is a focal point of the Strategy, it is essential to note that intoxication as such is not illegal. The problem is in the behaviour of the intoxicated person. Palmerston North has a liquor ban in a designated area in the central city. The area is well signposted and publicised. The liquor ban area is shown in Chart 2. The ban means it is an offence to drink alcohol, or to have an open bottle containing liquor, in this area other than on licensed premises; and the Police enforce the ban. While the liquor ban cannot address all the problems, the SAB consider it is essential in setting one basic limit for what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour regarding the use of alcohol. The SAB strongly supports the liquor ban as a positive contribution to reduction of alcoholrelated harm in the City. The Council, Palmerston North Police, ACC and Safe City Trust have shared concerns about increasing awareness, improving consistency of enforcement and reducing breaches of the liquor ban bylaw, and will undertake an ongoing series of initiatives to address these concerns. 12

13 Chart 2: Liquor Ban Area 9. Late-night behaviour and safety in the central city The Safe City Trust, with support of PNCC and the Police, provide Safe City Hosts to patrol the liquor ban area on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Safe City Hosts are contracted, uniformed and trained staff who keep an eye on things and try to prevent incidents occurring. They have no power of arrest, but are in radio contact with Police and will call them if required. The Safe City Hosts initiative has been running since December 1997 and is strongly supported by the SAB. The Safe City Trust makes regular reports on the number of breaches of the liquor ban, and fighting and disorder incidents encountered by the Hosts. 13

14 Chart 3. Fighting and Disorder Incidents reported by Safe City Hosts SafeCity Data - Violence & Disorder with 2008 projected as at 31-Jan Violence & Disorder 1997/ / / / / / / / / / Projected Series Chart 3 shows that since the Safe City Hosts have been operating the number of fighting and disorder incidents has varied from year to year, but overall shows a definite downward trend. The SAB considers the Safe City Hosts initiative is successful and supports its continuation. Chart 4. Monthly Prosecutions for Breach of Liquor Ban Monthly Liquor Ban Offences Offences July Sept Nov Jan Mar May July Sept Nov Jan Month Chart 4 6 shows police have charged 303 people with breaching the liquor ban in the twenty months from July 2006 to February 2008, an average of 15 per month. January is normally a quiet month with many people away on holidays. While the chart shows numbers varying over time, there is no clear trend. Any trend would not be totally reliable in any event because the policing effort is not constant, but varies with other operational requirements. 6 Source: Palmerston North Police. 14

15 Breaches of the liquor ban are given lower priority by police than, say, assaults. Often when intoxicated people are seen in the central city, the nearest licensed premises tend to be blamed for serving them while intoxicated. However, it is often the case that these people have been drinking elsewhere, at homes or in cars. The liquor promotions run by the off-licenses, discussed elsewhere, provide a financial incentive for this behaviour. Liquor is carried into the city in cars and on foot. The SAB will approach the taxi companies for support in publicising the liquor ban and refusing service to people carrying alcohol. Licensees, especially on-licences located in the central city, have significant opportunities to influence the behaviour of patrons. HANZ and its members support the Strategy and undertake to voluntarily impose a banned-from-one, banned-from-all policy for on-licensed premises. This will act in two main ways: by making it harder for patrons to continue drinking when intoxicated; and will make the sanction for bad behaviour much more serious in that a person banned will be unable to simply switch their allegiance to other licensed premises. Massey University and Linton Army Camp undertake to treat any incident of a student or soldier being banned from licensed premises as a disciplinary offence. This will add to the desired perception that bad behaviour will result in adverse consequences. HANZ and its members support the increased use of radio communications between licensed premises in the central city. This will make management of intoxicated persons easier, and will increase the effectiveness of the bannedfrom-one, banned-from-all policy. 10. Underage drinking Sale of liquor to a minor is an offence, as is the purchase of liquor by a minor. However, supply of liquor to minors by other adults appears commonplace, as underage drinking in the city centre is regularly witnessed. The Strategy seeks to raise awareness of this issue, particularly for management and staff of off-licence liquor outlets, and also members of the public who may witness alcohol being given to minors and be able to report it to the Police. A recent new proposal from government is to regulate social supply by creating an offence for adults (other than parents or guardians) to supply alcohol to a minor who consumes it in a public place. If enacted, and observed by the community, this regulation may address the issue; although social behaviour seems more likely to follow from community attitudes to liquor than from legislation. 15

16 11. Safe transport options for people visiting the central city at night Late night buses operate from Linton Army Camp and Massey University into and out of the city on Friday and Saturday nights, with the support of Horizons Regional Council. The SAB supports these initiatives. 12. Education & Information A major emphasis of the National Alcohol Strategy is to change the drinking culture in New Zealand; and the same objective applies to local efforts to reduce alcohol-related harm. This is carried out at many levels, from national advertising campaigns to professional staff making visits to schools. The Strategy supports these educational initiatives. ACC and the Public Health Unit are together conducting a Social Impact Assessment into the role of alcohol regarding accident and emergency admissions to hospital. This will fill a gap in current knowledge about the extent of adverse social effects from alcohol in the local community. 16

17 13. Goals, Objectives and Actions Goal To reduce alcohol-related harm in Palmerston North. Objectives Long-term: 1. To achieve ongoing reduction in all measures of alcohol-related harm in Palmerston North. 2. For Palmerston North to be the safest city in New Zealand. Medium-term: 1. To gain support for the Strategy from other agencies dealing with alcohol-related harm in Palmerston North and have it adopted as an umbrella policy document. 2. To achieve community awareness of and broad community support for the Strategy. 3. To achieve a community culture shift towards moderate use of alcohol. Short-term: 1. Carry out the actions listed. Outcomes and ongoing actions endorsed 7 1. The SAB will publicise the Strategy and will advocate moderation in the use of alcohol at all times. 2. The SAB invites additional stakeholders to join the Strategy and to suggest further initiatives for adoption in future. 3. The Council, Palmerston North Police, ACC and Safe City Trust have shared concerns about increasing awareness, improving consistency of enforcement and reducing breaches of the liquor ban bylaw, and will undertake an ongoing series of initiatives to address these concerns. 7 These actions are ongoing, with no particular timeline, and so do not met the criteria of a Key Performance Indicator. 17

18 Outcomes and ongoing actions endorsed 4. The SAB considers the Safe City Hosts initiative is successful and supports its continuation. 5. Massey University and Linton Army Camp undertake to treat any incident of a student or soldier being banned from licensed premises as a disciplinary offence. 6. The Strategy calls on all citizens to curb the supply of alcohol to minors, particularly the management and staff of off-licence liquor outlets, and also members of the public who may witness alcohol being given to minors and be able to report it to the Police. 7. Late night buses operate from Linton Army Camp and Massey University into and out of the city on Friday and Saturday nights, with the support of Horizons Regional Council. The SAB supports these initiatives. 8. The Strategy supports local educational initiatives concerning alcohol related harm. Key performance indicators Action By whom By When 1. Prepare a Liquor Licensing PNCC Dec 2008 operational guideline, to assist the decisions of license applicants and decision makers towards outcomes that fit with the Strategy. 2. Provide feedback to central government and make submissions on liquor policy and legislation as SAB Letter to Minister by June 2008 appropriate. In particular, state the SAB supports a national ban on price advertising by supermarkets and offlicenses, or any similar measures that will prevent the mass marketing of cheap liquor. 3. Approach the taxi companies for support in publicising the liquor ban and refusing service to people carrying alcohol (excluding alcohol for consumption under a BYO licence). SAB June

19 4. Recommend that all licencees in the CBD voluntarily impose a bannedfrom-one, banned-from-all policy for on-licensed premises. 5. Recommend the increased use of radio communications between licensed premises in the central city. 6. Conduct a Social Impact Assessment into the role of alcohol regarding accident and emergency admissions to hospital. 7. Make submissions on the PNCC Annual Plan, the Palmerston North City District Plan, and the Long Term Council Community Plan as appropriate. In particular, the SAB strongly supports the central City liquor ban as a positive contribution to reduction of alcohol-related harm in the City, and continuation of the Safe City Host programme. 8. Report to Council on achievements under the Strategy. The reports will include progress on the action items, updated statistics on alcohol offences in the CBD from Police Alcolink figures, and fighting and disorder incidents reported by Safe City Hosts. SAB and HANZ June 2008 SAB and HANZ June 2008 ACC and the Public Health Unit SAB SAB June 2008 By the deadline for submissions. Six monthly 14. Review and Reporting A strong framework and commitment to cooperation already exists between the key stakeholders, and the SAB meets monthly. Progress under the Strategy will be a regular agenda item. A report to Council on achievements under the Strategy will be prepared every six months. The reports will include progress on the action items, updated statistics on alcohol offences in the CBD from Police Alcolink figures, and fighting and disorder incidents reported by Safe City Hosts. The SAB will review the Strategy 12 months after its adoption, and will then consider further initiatives for inclusion. 19

20 15. Producers of the Strategy: The Safety Advisory Board The Safety Advisory Board is the result of a strategic partnership between the Palmerston North City Council and the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice provides an operational budget. The main purpose of the SAB is networking between key agencies that share a common concern for a safe community. The SAB is not an executive body, and advises the Council on allocation of SAB funding, in accordance with Ministry of Justice guidelines. The SAB membership currently includes: The Mayor PNCC Management representative NZ Police (Palmerston North District Commander) Tanganta Whenua (Rangitaane iwi) Child Youth and Family Ministry of Social Development Fire Service Accident Compensation Corporation Massey University (Student Hostel Manager) Safe City Trust representative Community Safety Coordinator (PNCC) Mid Central Health Linton Army Camp Ministry of Justice (Crime Prevention Unit) St Johns 16. Key Stakeholders Palmerston North City Council (PNCC) PNCC has overall responsibility for administration of the City, principally via the Long Term Council Community Plan and the District Plan. PNCC administers the District Licensing Agency (DLA) which processes applications for liquor licences under the Sale of Liquor Act. PNCC designs and maintains the roading network to enhance access and safe road travel. 20

21 PNCC has used Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in the City Heart Project, (i.e. redevelopment of the centre of Palmerston North including The Square). Palmerston North Police The Police are responsible for crime prevention, community policing, criminal enforcement and road safety. At a national level the Police have prepared and are implementing the New Zealand Police Alcohol Action Plan Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) ACC administers the Accident Compensation Scheme, a no-fault personal injury insurance scheme for all New Zealanders; and also has a strong focus on injury prevention and rehabilitation. MidCentral Health District Health Board MidCentral Health is responsible for funding and provision of health and disability services, and in particular manages Palmerston North Hospital. MidCentral Health provides education and information aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. MidCentral Health Public Health Unit The Public Health Unit operates as part of the Ministry of Health and has a statutory role in liquor licensing. Hospitality Association of New Zealand (HANZ) HANZ is a voluntary trade association representing over 2,350 hospitality businesses throughout New Zealand. Massey University The Palmerston North campus includes about 1,000 students living in residential hostels. New Zealand Fire Service The Fire Service is an emergency response agency that also has extensive educational and information services for safety and fire prevention. Linton Army Camp Linton is the Army s main base in the Lower North Island. It has variously 2,200 to 2,400 military staff and 300 civilian staff on base, including

22 families in houses on the base, together with a school, kindergarten, te k hanga reo, library and community board. SafeCity Trust The SafeCity Trust is a non-political community group of citizens, groups and business people that acts to make Palmerston North safer. It works closely with the Police, and the Council s Safety Coordinator. Rangitaane iwi Rangitaane are tangata whenua for Palmerston North. Rangitaane maintain ongoing relationships with many agencies for the benefit of the Palmerston North community. 22

23 17. Annex 1 National Alcohol Policy Framework The national context includes an intersecting network of legislation, agencies, strategies and policies which are working to reduce alcohol harm. Relevant policy documents at a national level include: National Drug Policy National Alcohol Strategy Alcohol Advisory Council Strategic Direction Alcohol Advisory Council: Strengthening Community Action on Alcohol Crime Reduction Strategy Safer Communities Action Plan NZ Family Violence Prevention Strategy NZ Police Alcohol Action Plan NZ Injury Prevention Strategy Road Safety to

24 18. Annex 2 Responses from Mayoral Forum Attendees at the Mayoral Forum in July 2007 were put into small groups and asked for their responses to four questions: What do they see as the problem? Where are the problem areas in the city? Who are causing the problem? Any other issues that need attention? The responses below are as recorded at the time. What do they see as the problem? Liquor needs more regulation Police are to soft lack of leadership from Police and DLA Appoint new people in liquor licensing. People that can do the job. Need to be strict. Require licence holder to comply Not keeping bottles in the premises Regent Theatre have drinking outside the venue poor example Education programmes in the school LTSA have one already Liquor Licensing Trust no supermarket sales Reduce the advertising Shaming the perpetrators Media on board Manawatu Standard (Name & Shame) Inadequate enforcement of the liquor ban Lack of reactive visits from Police No regular checks from Police Liquor laws as a shambles Our level of intoxicated people to be defined Binge drink then go into town School education programmes get them before they turn 16 Damage to property Bar owners support the standard being raised Overall problem Badly managed bars, with problem areas created around it Youth Drinking culture Availability Accessibility Social Values Spirits/High % drinks/rtd s Age limit 18? 20+? Drugs Supermarkets Licence hours 3am? Geographical services Glass all over the road is obviously off-licence Drinking to excess Drinking always been in the Square Culture of drinking Brought up from children ALAC campaign changing the culture 24

25 Culture around drinking (parental supervision, media) Community Involvement Lack of responsibility (parents with their children) Boy racers (lack of accountability, noise, parties, safety issues glass, antisocial groups of youths) Accountability and ownership of the problem (who s issue is it?) Liquor too cheap drink at home Lack of drinking in supervised places Cheap and available liquor (off licence) 1 st /2 nd highest rate of males (15-25 age group) Double standards towards problems (Government v Community) How businesses operate catering to lowest common denominator Lack of bylaw enforcement and effectiveness Enforcement of Sale of Liquor Act (low drinking age, accessibility to alcohol supermarkets, cheaper alco-pops) If Council staff feel unsafe why do the premises still have a licence? Premises liquor licencing and Bar Managers too easy to get No consequences Drinking habits/cultures Host Responsibility Social (Leisure time) Fear of general crime CBD focus Students drink elsewhere Activity mix (adults b , younger after 11.30) Fights 1-3am National problem People coming into the CBD already inebriated Lack of male role models and males in charge Lack of consequences for poor behaviour Is it age related? Perception that it is because young people congregate Becoming a more dishonest society, which is tolerated Lack of conscience Always been alcohol available, but allowed bad behaviour to develop Alcohol intolerance makes it more attractive to young people Always been a problem hasn t got worse, but we are more sensitive to it Attitude to drinking Lack of community style policing How much is drug related? Where are the problem areas in the city? UCOL Carpark Hotspots Lower Ferguson Warehouse Stationery carpark CBD Ada Street Morris Street Cuba Street (fights, drunkenness) Behind Information centre Taxi Stand McDonalds 25

26 Takeaways (Golden, Hawaiian) The Square Regent Arcade/Melody Lane Berrymans Lane Jones Bar Lounge Bar (6am close) Grey Street/Queen Street/King Street Central CBD symptoms observed Legislation drunks have to leave premises congregate on streets Drunk people being allowed in the door In the home CBD Pitt Street Near bars Private home Domestic Violence Arterial Roads Street parties Who are causing the problem? All ages All genders All races People who have had too much to drink Bar Owners Off licences Supermarkets Youth culture/acceptance Police/Council enforcement staff (not addressing the problems/enforcing) Government Resourcing (Police) Youth People unable to get into a bar too young Intoxicated people 5% causing 80% of the problem A few year olds damage to property Bar owners licence holders Both genders Intoxication Young people in cars outside bars drinking Staff at their premises Any other issues that need attention? Availability Off licence Policing levels (incl community policing and consequences) Education packages for schools (pre 18) Activity time zooming in CBD Boy Racers and text invite parties Noise created by commuters Demarcation lines between local/central government Legislative changes introduce age of consumption Style and target group of advertising (RTD s) 26

27 The Lounge Bar How complaints are captured and followed up by Council awareness of public process (i.e. via Council, not media) District Plan and Zoning (incl hrs of operations and sizes of establishments) Vandalism and graffiti within the city and suburbs Rubbish collection and number of bins CPTED Curfews Location and number of toilets 27