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Liquor ban for Petone, CBD

Stokes Valley precinct also liquor-free

A 24-HOUR, seven-day liquor ban has been introduced for  the city’s central business district, a large part of Petone and around the main shopping area of Stokes Valley.

The ban was agreed by Hutt City Council last month after submissions by police, business organisations and members of the public who were concerned about alcohol-related behaviour in the city.

“The old ban was a bit confusing for many members of the public,” says Inspector Richard Chambers, Area Commander of Lower Hutt Police.

“A full-time ban takes away any ambiguity. It’s quite clear and easily understood now.”

The ban means no one must consume or carry alcohol in the designated areas at any time.

Inspector Chambers says issues of individual rights were raised during the debate about the ban. Some people had argued that someone taking alcohol they bought at a liquor store to their car, or going to a neighbour’s with alcohol, could be apprehended.

“That is not the intent of the ban,” Inspector Chambers says. “We will exercise a great deal of discretion, especially in these early days when some people might not be aware of it.

“I can assure you that no one will be apprehended for simply taking a bottle of wine to a neighbour’s house, or anything similar. We are not here to make criminals out of ordinary citizens who are going about their business.

”The Safe City Officer at Hutt City Council, Adrian Peoples, says the ban was imposed because the council repeatedly heard from people dissatisfied with regular incidents of alcohol-related behaviour.

“We got reports from the public about broken glass in the street, broken windows, property damage, general bad behaviour and language, and unpleasant instances of vomit and urine in doorways,” Adrian says.

“We talked to retailers, publicans, members of the public and, of course, the police, and resolved to impose the full-time ban.

“This gives the police another tool to use in their efforts to stamp out this kind of behaviour in Hutt City.”

Adrian says the aim to provide an environment in which business can operate safely and people can enjoy going out in the evening.

“Businesses should not have to worry about having their windows broken or vomit in their doorway every morning. And members of the public should feel they can go out and have some fun without the fear of violence or threatening behaviour.”

Adrian says signs have been erected in the designated areas advising people about the liquor bans. There are also liquor bans in Wainuiomata and Naenae.

Exemption permits will still be granted for public events, such as the Petone Fiesta.

The maps above show the areas in which the ban applies in Petone and the CBD. In Stokes Valley, the ban is in the immediate vicinity of the main shops and in the adjoining Speldhurst Park.

Maps of all the liquor control areas can be seen here.