By CASEY NEILL
GREATER Dandenong pubs and clubs are taking a stand against bad behaviour.
They have worked with City of Greater Dandenong and Victoria Police to create a Liquor Accord and all parties signed the document at Dandenong RSL on Thursday 10 December.
It sets out aims, actions, objectives and strategies to address alcohol-related problems.
Outlets have agreed to issue a six-month ban to patrons who refuse to leave and to first-time offenders exhibiting anti-social behaviour.
A second anti-social act will incur a 12-month ban, as will serious assaults involving injury and second-time criminal damage offences.
Greater Dandenong Inspector Bruce Kitchen said the accord aimed to deter bad behaviour and set a minimum standard for patrons and venues.
“Some premises will decide to increase those penalties,” he said.
“That penalty and a picture of that person who will be barred will be circulated to all the other licensed premises who’ve signed the accord so then they know ‘this person can’t come into our club’.”
Insp Kitchen said he initiated a Casey Liquor Accord many years ago.
“In co-operation with the council and the VCGLR (Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation) we’ve had a series of meetings and we’ve come up with the criteria, format, code and appropriate minimum penalties that we want to adopt,” he said.
“As a group, if we come to a majority agreement about what we want to do that’s the way we’ll go about changing it.”
Dandenong RSL is among the 20 venues signed on so far.
General manager Greg Betros said he took part because he wanted to show a united front.
“We all wanted to follow best practice,” he said.
“We can all work together to ensure bad behaviour is kept to a minimum.”
Mr Betros said the RSL had not historically been a trouble spot.
“We all have our moments,” he said.
“Prevention is better than cure.”
