Byron Shire councillor Diane Woods has indicated she may reintroduce a motion to install closed-circuit TV cameras in Byron Bay’s CBD after dramatic footage of street fights in the town was screened on commercial television last night.
Cr Woods told ABC radio this morning that Nimbin, Lismore and Murwillumbah had all had successes with the cameras reducing violence in those towns and that Byron Shire had to act.
A motion to introduce the cameras was rejected at last month’s council meeting.
Head of the Byron Bay liquor accord and Byron United Paul Waters added his voice to the move, saying that alcohol vendors were doing all they could to address the problem and it was time for mayor Jan Barham to stop blaming them and get on with installing the cameras.
But the mayor says those in the business of selling alcohol need to take more responsibility for the results that it causes.
‘What we’re seeing is a lack of action from those who profit from the sale of alcohol in taking on measures to make the place safer,’ she told ABC radio.
The Mayor says on radio that CCTV is “not in the spirit of Byron”. Well, is brawling in the streets in the spirit of Byron? Byron is changing – get with the program – help the Police, locals and the tourists feel a bit safer. Even if it only helps to identify people after the fact, at least we may get the knowledge out there that people will be caught and it may be a deterrent. Regardless of if you close nightclubs earlier, there will always be alcohol and drugs, unfortunately.
Good point. Also, it is unfair to put anymore demands on alcohol vendors. They are abiding by all rules and regs as set by the apllicable governing bodies; so really the onus is on Jan Barham to do more….thats what you are there for. If you think its too hard, give the job to someone else.
This problem with alcohol will not go away until there are consequences for the actions of a thuggish and stupid few; and CCTV will help in this process.
Lastly; I really cant see why this type of behaviour is an attractant to young people. We always took pride in holding our alcohol (even when we did indulge a little too much), not getting so written off you cant even function. Lesson for you little boys and girls out there: if you cant handle your liquor; save yourself the embarassment, and dont.
Byron Bay Liquor Accord versus Mayor Jan Barham… a classic case of both pots calling the kettle black.
How many future victims will suffer thuggery because of their self-interest and egos?
Correction Elke Van Handle is the Chair person for the Byron bay Liquor accord, I speak on behalf of the accord as Treasurer and remain President of Byron United ( the chamber of commerce in Byron Bay)
Mayor Jan has to let go of this one, she cannot win this, the Police and general community want and need street safety cameras in the CBD just as most other towns do and have managed to install long ago with great results.
Contrary to Jan`s comment, these are not surveillance cameras they merely record for use “If required” no one is watching you unless you do something wrong – or something wrong is done against you
Next time there’s a fatal car crash in Byron Shire, we can count on Jan to blame the car dealers too, I suppose. Or a surfer gets taken by a shark? Blame the surf-board manufacturer. The booze merchants are only obliged to serve according the laws governing responsible service of alcohol. Policing dickheads is up to local and state governments… personally I don’t feel the council should have to pay, but whichever govt. rolls around in the liquor taxes they stuff their mattress with.