Operators had begged for more police on streets
12:00a.m. 26th October 2007
Accommodation manager Bernie Sullivan is angry that it has taken the death of Caloundra's Josh Mill for action to be taken on violence on the Mooloolaba strip. Photo:Barry Leddicoat 169926b
Mooloolaba accommodation managers are furious that it has taken the death of a young Caloundra man for authorities to announce the formation of a flying police squad to target violence on our streets.
Newport Apartments manager Bernie Sullivan said just five weeks ago, he and other unit managers had met with senior police urging that something be done to combat the escalating problems in Mooloolaba.
“We were really worried that something like this was going to happen,’’ he said of the death of Josh Mill in Caloundra last weekend.
He said he particularly angry that Police Minister Judy Spence had claimed that Mooloolaba was ‘safe’ last week despite growing evidence that it was not, including a brawl, a guy being glassed, and numerous fights.
“They are not around when these things are happening. They are safely tucked up in their beds,’’ Mr Sullivan said.
He said the impact on Mooloolaba’s reputation as a tourist destination was crippling because every weekend guests were asking what on earth was going on in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Sullivan said unless extra police were allocated to the Coast, on a permanent basis, to ensure more officers were on the beat every weekend, problems would continue.
“Blue shirts are the only thing that will fix it,’’ he said.
“There are very few things that this generation will respect – at least they still have some respect for police.’’
Mr Sullivan also pointed the finger at Maroochy Council, and particularly local councillor Tom Hulett, for pulling the pin on the ranger program which had been so effective in combating violence on the strip.
Coast police chief Superintendent Ben Hanbidge rejected claims that police had not acted, saying there were six or seven officers on the beat in Mooloolaba on weekend nights even before last week’s tragedy.
Supt Hanbidge said a major issue was that a minority of clubs continued to serve people well after they were intoxicated.
But he said a new liquor accord and security accord would see clubs agree to abide by standards, and if they didn’t they would be targeted by police and liquor licensing officers.
He said under the security accord, patrons thrown out of nightclubs would be banned from other nightclubs while clubs would be urged to scan IDs to help police identify offenders.
Supt Hanbidge conceded the new police squad would not mean extra police for the Coast but would be sufficient. “I just can’t come up with 30 police,’’ he told thedaily.com.au.
Police minister says violence 'not new'
Fundraiser tonight to help keep streets safe
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Recent Comments
A few years ago there were similar issues and then the authorities seemed to “be on top of it.”
What has changed?
Maroochy Council may have some explaining to do, and yes I realise some of the recent incidents were in Caloundra.
Caloundra’s night life scene has also changed with new facilities in recent years thereby undoubtedly attracting more people.
Sadly as the numbers of patrons grow, so does the number of violent numbskulls & thugs. Can the Licensed premises who are doing the business improve in any way?
If Mooloolaba previously had a working formula why was it changed?
Was the successful formula of years gone by, (or a similar formula) able to be adopted for Caloundra?
Now regarding the calls for more and more Police; we hear of more deaths on the roads, so the calls go out for more on the Police presence on the roads. Then when people get pulled over or photographed for speeding they claim it simply is a revenue raiser!
The Sunshine Coast is notoriously bad when it comes to Drinking and Driving and we see Police regularly blitzing and again often copping criticism.
Many of the elderly are terrified & sadly lock themselves in their little fortresses in fear, and the call goes out for more Police during the day time.
The Police Union claim they need a helicopter, to go into their hanger with their 2 Qld Police aeroplanes. But I for one cannot work out how the helicopter will realistically help anyone outside an hours flight range of where it will be based, in Brisbane of course.
So what do we end up with a bigger Police Force? But do we won’t a Police State.
The Police say the want more & more power, like the bad old days!
More personal responsibility I think.
If we send more first time offenders to prison we just see them learn more inside to become better crooks!
I sincerely hope those younger minds come up with better outcomes, and keep the recipe if it the addresses (or minimises) the present problem.
Just be wary of the chest thumping politicans (or wannabes) who are simply trying to grab a headline!
Andrew Muldoon,
Buddina.
When are we going to look at the root cause of all this violence? These kids aren't violent by nature but when they are full of "piss and bad manners" as we used to say, they aren't in control of their own actions. Why? Because the root cause is that they've been allowed to get full of booze.
Makes a joke of Responsible Service of Alcohol. To be perfectly honest the removal of these late night "over priced alcohol stores" should be the first step in a multi-faceted approach to dealing with this problem. If they closed at 10 or 11 like a normal pub then that's got to be half the problem solved.
I know, I know, it isn't as simple a fix as that, but it's a damned good start. How many more kids have to have their lives shortened or changed forever because the leaders and parents in our community sit idly by and ignore the root cause of these problems. Alcohol. Let's deal with it now and then move onto dealing with drugs soon after.
Google “Prohibition – History United States of America”.
Yes I realise that it is not total prohibition but I believe your idea, while well intentioned, is simply not practical.
From memory the “Night Club Lobby” on the Gold Coast waged a well resourced and managed to Campaign at the 2004 Council Election to oust the Mayor Gary Baildon for his” lock out/limit night club hours trial.” Thousands and thousands of you clubbers were send emails and SMS in a concerted campaign, which obviously went some of the way to seeing Mr Baildon defeated.
Sadly yes there still are problems on the Gold Coast and for that matter, Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Mackay, Townville (just ask the Cowboys NRL players), Rocky etc etc. It is not unique to the Sunshine Coast.
Yes I agree it needs to be addressed for the sake of our young ‘uns.
Andrew Muldoon,
Buddina.
I'm more than happy to hear anyones opinion but don't misquote me. Please re-read my words and you will see that I suggest reducing the time of opening, not prohibiting supply?? Like you, I was referring to responsibility. Responsibility of those selling alcohol to those receiving it.
Like I said, I know it's a complex problem but reducing access to alcohol until early hours of the morning would be just one step in a multi faceted approach to solving the problem.
And who are you referring to when you say "thousands and thousands of you clubbers"? Not me I hope. I'm certainly not a clubber and am probably old enough to be either your father or uncle. I would support a limit night club campaign which is what I'm suggesting in my original post.
I am however glad to see you agree something needs to be done and I look forward to hearing ideas and any positive initiatives you or others might have. Of course if you don't have any then lets start with mine shall we.
Bernie, why don't you find out the facts and then stick to the truth. I worked hard trying to keep Pat and finding a way around the 'risk assessment' review done predominantly BEFORE I came back into Council in 2004.
Check with the bloke who wrote the Report, Bernie, he will attest to the fact that I was in there fighting FOR Pat. Eventually the weight of 'insurance and other risk' beat us all.
Bernie - get it right or stay out of the debate! I get so angry when people drag that good bloke Pat into their personal arguments. He does not deserve it - the Ranger program as you knew it Bernie, cannot be returned - regardless of what chest thumping or candidate backing you may wish to undertake.
To other bloggers - ideas please - we need them! Police numbers, CCTV and security lighting seem to be the top 3 of which we have already begun number 2 and 3.
Changing the law towards the NSW model would also be a help - in Qld, barmen are supposed not to serve an intoxicated person - in NSW an intoxicated person must be evicted off the premises (if the explanation given to me is correct). For example if (say) 4 drinks in an hour renders you intoxicated then no one downs the 10 or more some brag about before they are ordered out.
The difference is that in Qld, while the drunk cannot buy, his/her mates can. In NSW the establishment is fined if they are even left stay there. Can anybody shed light on this difference between the states?
If they were evicted from one place they could not enter another for a period (a month would be good) as their details (photo and ID) were automatically sent to all other clubs in the area. Likewise if they misbehaved after they left, there would be evidence of where they were intoxicated.
The matter is for the State Liquor Licencing to endorse and administer - Council does not powers in that area of policing and should not start. We have enough to do to provide the CCTV, lighting and other safety measures. Your thoughts please?
The Coast's police chief has already indicated he is pushing for an ID system through all clubs so I think that one will be a good start - Editor
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