SMBI SAFE VENUES ‘ARE YOU SAFE HERE’ CAMPAIGN MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The Southern Moreton Bay Islands Safe Venue Project is having a positive impact on the island club and entertainment sector.
SMBI Safe Venues was formed several months ago and now has every licensed establishment on the SMB Islands on board.
It is about stamping out dangerous and anti-social behaviour right across the SMB Islands.
And such is it impact, it is now spreading into the wider island community.
SMBI Safe Venues is a collaboration between all island licensed venues, police, the Bay Islands Chamber of Commerrce and Redlands LNP candidate Rebecca Young.
All the venues have formed a strong, collective bond with a definite objective, to make their venues ‘safe’ at all times.
In the past, particularly surrounding weekends, there have been difficulties with problem drinkers. Altercations and violence have been commonplace.
Repeat offenders would move from licensed premises to the next, spreading and harming as they were moved.
In the past, some licensencees were reluctant to take any real action.
However, since SMBI Safe Venues became a reality and got all island liquor license holders on board, the impact has been considerable.
Dan Golin, of the Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce, says regular meetings and ‘working together’ has had a huge impact on involvement and outcomes.
“Those prone to causing trouble and sometimes violence now know it is totally unacceptable.
“They also know that a ban at one establishment means a ban at all island licensed premises.” he said.
He added that the ban initiative has had such an impact that Redlands Police and Redlands Bay Hotel are considering getting involved.
All the licensed premises have a special sign at the entry door, pictured here at the entry to the Russell Island RSL Club.
RSL president Keith Velleman says the behavioural program has had a huge impact on behaviour.
“Once it was a problem, particularly on Friday nights and at weekends.
“Now that some troublemakers have got the message, we have hardly had an incident.
“Any issue of bad behaviour results in an instant ban from all island licensed venues,” Keith Velleman added.
• President Keith Velleman, treasurer Jamie Manning and secretary Peter Nelson with the YOU ARE SAFE HERE sign at the entrance to the Russell Island RSL Club.
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