Council cracks down on out-of-control drinking

 By Alan Tristram

The Kāpiti Coast District Council has approved  a temporary night-time liquor ban in public places.

This means public spaces  from Paekākāriki to Waikanae will become alcohol free from 9pm to 6am every day from the middle of next month until mid-May next year.

The KCDC says the ban was initiated by Police and has support from many individuals and businesses in the community.

It says the ban will enable Police to confiscate alcohol from people misusing it in public places and, if necessary, to arrest offenders.

“As we all know, there have been some horrific incidences involving alcohol and violence of late,” said Councillor Tony Lester after the full council made the decision.

Police to use ‘discretionary’ powers

“This ban is about early intervention so the risk of alcohol-related offending is minimised. Police will use their discretionary powers, so won’t be targeting people having a quiet wine or beer with their fish and chips by the beach.”

Cr Lester added: “It’s more about stopping unruly groups potentially getting out of control and causing themselves, and other people or property, damage.”

The proposal for a new bylaw is expected to go before Council in March 2013. Public consultation will then take place.

The effectiveness of the ban will be evaluated during the five-month period until next May — and then the feedback will be used to draft a new bylaw proposing that the alcohol-free zone becomes permanent.