KEY POINTS:
Helensville residents say youth drinking is such a problem that the police should be seeking a 24-hour liquor ban in the public places of the town and nearby Parakai.
Police said yesterday they were happy to ask Rodney District Council for a 9pm to 6am ban because they
didn't want to stop people enjoying a drink with their picnic.
Rodney rural manager Senior Sergeant Glenn Adkin said problems with alcohol-related antisocial behaviour were being taken seriously.
Powers resulting from the proposed ban bylaw would be a huge benefit to officers attending any incidents of disruptive behaviour. He told the council police had resources in the area to enforce the ban.
Helensville Sergeant Mike Colson said the ban was aimed at reducing disorderly behaviour, fighting, assaults, property damage, tagging, noise and breaches of liquor laws.
"This behaviour is fuelled by consumption of vast amounts of alcohol, mostly by youths under 20 years.
"Youths as young as 13 have been in possession of alcohol and clearly under the influence, some showing signs of extreme intoxication," he said.
Orewa and Wellsford have year-round bans and many beach towns on the Rodney northeast coast have overnight bans for the summer.
Mr Colson said these proved an excellent tool for the police and had drastically reduced antisocial behaviour in central Orewa.
The council decided to seek public comment on its agreement to extend liquor bans to Helensville-Parakai, as well as a permanent 6pm to 6am ban at Te Arai Pt Beach near Mangawhai.
Councillor Grev Walker said residents sought a total ban at Helensville.
"It's happening in the daytime. We want to give a clear signal that it's not right to be getting liquored up in public places."
Resident John Perry said a total ban was warranted because of serious concerns arising from young people drinking day and night at parks and the Riverside Heritage Walkway.
Helensville-Parakai Residents and Ratepayers Association secretary Scott Osmond supported him, saying parks damage was worse there than anywhere in the district.
Te Awaroa Youth Club manager Heidi Van Duyn said: "Youth are drinking in public regularly and they are getting into trouble. So if a ban is going to help, I'm all for it."
Kaipara College principal John Grant said a ban over summer was reasonable.