Awash with drunks

Devonport residents are sick and tired of boozy youths making their lives a misery. Valerie Schuler reports Devonport residents are fed up with the late-night parties and binge drinkers that are terrorizing their lovely seaside suburb. They hope overnight liquor bans will help to solve the problem. "I clean up bottles and broken glass at least a couple of times a week," says Mrs Mace, who runs a waterfront bed and breakfast on Queens Parade. "We are pretty tolerant but it's getting worse." She says groups of youths congregate most Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to drink in the car park opposite her house. "One time, they threw a bottle at our house." Some residents blame the navy for the late-night booze-ups and related problems. "The behaviour of some young recruits is just appalling," says another resident, who wants to remain anonymous out of fear of repercussions. "The navy will say it's not their problem, but it is. They're not allowed alcohol in the barracks so they end up drinking it on the street." Indeed, the navy accepts little responsibility. "This is not a navy problem," says Captain Dean McDougall. "It's a society problem with 18 to 25 year olds." He says the navy breath-tests everyone who leaves the base during night hours and regularly patrols the area. Whoever is to blame, everyone agreest the bad behaviour needs fixing. The recently formed Devonport Community Alcohol Accord, which has representatives from the police, the Royal NZ Navy and North Shore City Council, favours liquor bans. "We are working with the community and, if that's what they want, we are quite happy with a liquor ban," says Captain McDougall, who is one of two navy representatives. But not everyone thinks liquor bans are the best option. "I don't agree with putting bans on everything," says local restaurateur and resident of 16 years, John McHugh. "The police know where the hot-spots are and they should monitor these more closely. Bans will only move the problem somewhere else." North Shore Police Area Commander Inspector Les Patterson admits that "displacement" can be a problem. In Takapuna overnight bans, brought in about a year ago, have been successful. Rather than imposing them 24 hours, the proposed Devonport bans will be from 10pm-6am during daylight saving and from 9am-6am the rest of the year. "That way, they won't penalise picnickers, who enjoy a quiet drink on the beach," says Mike Cohen of Devonport Community Board. The matter was discussed at the last community board meeting on April 22, when all parties got a chance to voice their opinions. No decision has been made yet. A report will go to the council for review. If bans go ahead, they will apply to public areas, including Queens Parade, Victoria Ave, Albert Rd and stretches of Calliope Rd. Liquor bans are already in force at Narrowneck and Cheltenham beaches and at Ngataringa Park.