Late night violence around pubs/clubs

[Smurf1976]

I'm somewhat involved in the issue of assaults etc around licensed premises (particularly nightclubs) and am looking for some opinions.

Whilst my specific involvement relates to Hobart, I'm assuming it's a similar issue elsewhere too.

If you go back to 2000 then the Hobart waterfront (the dominant pubs / clubs area here) was fairly safe late on Friday and Saturday nights. A few drunks sure, but no big deal and nothing to be really frightened of.

Today it's not a place that too many feel overly safe in after midnight (it's fine during the day though so don't stay away from the area if you're visiting Tas). Plenty of assaults etc outside and recently a high profile one inside a club that's left someone with brain damage. Also trouble with vandalism etc and generally trashing the place.

I have my own opinion on what has changed in that time but I won't mention it now since I'm looking for the thoughts of others.

I will note however that we've had late trading venues for longer than most of their current patrons have been alive. Likewise the drinking age has been 18 for a very long time (though it is more effectively enforced now). And not much else has really changed other than various club closures (one directly related to this issue) and subsequent new venues opening not far away.

I think there is one major factor that has changed and is driving all of this change in behaviour though and I would be surprised if that change wasn't similar across the country. And possibly a second far lesser factor too. As I said though, I'd like to see if anyone comes up with something different before I mention exactly what it is (just trying to keep my research as unbiased as possible).

 

[sam76]

Re: Late night violence around pubs / clubs

I can sum it up in three words - lack of respect.

 

[Broadside]

I reckon it could be de-sensitization to violence - look at popular movies like Hostel, Saw etc: they are pr0n for sadists. I don't mind violent movies when it isn't gratuitous but some of these flicks are sickening.

 

[stockGURU]

The cause of violence around pubs and clubs? Oh, I wonder what that could be?

Violent movies? NO
Pornography? NO
Consumer Debt? NO
Poverty? NO

That right folks.... it's alcohol. The same drug that kills hundreds on our roads each year.

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug we face as a society and the sooner we wake up to it the better.

 

[sam76]

The cause of violence around pubs and clubs? Oh, I wonder what that could be?

Violent movies? NO
Pornography? NO
Consumer Debt? NO
Poverty? NO

That right folks.... it's alcohol. The same drug that kills hundreds on our roads each year.

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug we face as a society and the sooner we wake up to it the better.

Yeah, but alcohol has been a part of society now since the 20's but never has violence been so bad....?

 

[stockGURU]

Yeah, but alcohol has been a part of society now since the 20's but never has violence been so bad....?

I think you are listening to the scaremongering media instead of researching real statistics.

Alcohol is far more dangerous than every illegal drug combined.

Domestic violence, deaths on the road, violence on the streets.... the one common factor is alcohol.

 

[sam76]

I think you are listening to the scaremongering media instead of researching real statistics.

Alcohol is far more dangerous than every illegal drug combined.

Domestic violence, deaths on the road, violence on the streets.... the one common factor is alcohol.

I'm not denying that. In fact I agree with you. My point is that why is it only recently that alcohol has become a problem?

 

[wayneL]

I think you are listening to the scaremongering media instead of researching real statistics.

Alcohol is far more dangerous than every illegal drug combined.

Domestic violence, deaths on the road, violence on the streets.... the one common factor is alcohol.

Yes, but are more people drinking more booze than before?

It was always a bit shameful to be as pissed as a maggot, now it's cool.

 

[Wysiwyg]

The cause of violence around pubs and clubs? Oh, I wonder what that could be?

Violent movies? NO
Pornography? NO
Consumer Debt? NO
Poverty? NO

That right folks.... it's alcohol. The same drug that kills hundreds on our roads each year.

Alcohol is the most dangerous drug we face as a society and the sooner we wake up to it the better.

I have to disagree with you there s.g.As smurf posted,

If you go back to 2000 then the Hobart waterfront (the dominant pubs / clubs area here) was fairly safe late on Friday and Saturday nights. A few drunks sure, but no big deal and nothing to be really frightened of.

so it is `the place for fighting` now.All the d.h.`s that drink to beat up on some one go there now.These "type" can`t vent there anger straight/sober and need the alcohol to assist.Alcohol is an excuse, not the cause.

 

[stockGURU]

I have to disagree with you there s.g.As smurf posted,

so it is `the place for fighting` now.All the d.h.`s that drink to beat up on some one go there now.These "type" can`t vent there anger straight/sober and need the alcohol to assist.Alcohol is an excuse, not the cause.

So why it it only happening outside pubs and clubs... where they happen to serve alcohol.

It's not happening outside the local vegetarian restaurant or copy shop, is it?

pub... club... pub... club... pub... club... what is the one common factor here?

Come on people... it doesn't take a genius to work it out, surely?

 

[JeSSica WaBBit]

Don't know the area but i'd say a combination of things

1. The alcohol
2. The type of people who are attracted to these boozy dens (d/heads)
3. Lack of respect

Give a neananderthal enough booze and he'll show you his primitive side.

Been saying it for a while now, give them all ecstacy and everything will be dandy!

You might have to break up a few people hugging and smiling but otherwise it should all be fine..............

JW

 

[Sprinter79]

Alcohol is a big problem, but the centralisation of venues that sell alcohol, rather than having them spread throughout the suburbs has a BIG role to play.

Less venues, more people in the one area, irresponsible serving of alcohol (bottom lines...), lack of public transport/taxis to take people away from problem areas.. the list goes on really.

 

[stargazer]

There has always been issues around areas as has been described.

Is there a significant show of Police/Security presence that can cope with these type of areas.

Are the Laws sufficient on the side of the authorities to deal with these issues.

Are the courts enforcing the max penalties, are they sufficient to act as a deterrent.

Cheers
SG

 

[wayneL]

Don't know the area but i'd say a combination of things

1. The alcohol
2. The type of people who are attracted to these boozy dens (d/heads)
3. Lack of respect

Give a neananderthal enough booze and he'll show you his primitive side.

Been saying it for a while now, give them all ecstacy and everything will be dandy!

You might have to break up a few people hugging and smiling but otherwise it should all be fine..............

JW

Now that would be a sight I'd like to see, a bunch of tattooed, shaven headed, vocabulary challenged , low browed Neanderthals standing around hugging each other and blowing kisses. LOL

Bring on the ecstasy!

 

[moXJO]

The violence was just as bad in the past but it does move in cycles. Usually is alright for a while then gets bad again. I was talking to the police about this and they said it was due to the fact that they target the trouble makers until they stop then there is a lull until the next group comes along.
People’s heads have been getting stomped since the 70s and they were running around with a lot more guns shooting at one another. Personally I think 99-2000 was at a peak of violence (where I am from). I think it’s always been their, its just whether you take any notice or not.

The courts need to pull their finger out imo

 

[Dukey]

havn't read the whole thread as I'm on a mission to flog my van!!
but for my ... This cr@p - 'glassings' and so forth has gone way too far. And it's a result of our culture of glorifying violence esp in movies, on TV, sport and games.

These things (above) need to be addressed.

Dodgy areas need
1. more street lighting
2. more security cameras to prosecute offenders
3. curfews / shut downs to encourage club owners to take responsibility for serving grog to trouble makers.

Violent offenders need tougher sentencing. They should be made to get on their knees and apologise publicly to their victim and to their own family for bringing shame upon them + compensate their victim financially & work for the victim or community for an extended period.

...Sorry if anyone has suggested these things already...
Anyone for public floggings...???:whip

don't get your knockers in a knot - just kidding.

 

[visual]

Yes, but are more people drinking more booze than before?

It was always a bit shameful to be as pissed as a maggot, now it's cool.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there Wayne, just yesterday you had the story of Kelly Osborne saying how paris hilton had given her her first alcohol poisoning and paris was overheard to say,'I did, how cool', while laughing.
These dimwits might not have two brain cells to combine but just the exposure they get is enough to make almost anything they do as something to copy as COOL

 

[marklar]

a) Lack of respect in the 'younger' generation (17-22 year olds)
b) Easier access to drugs and an attitude that 'everyone does it'
c) YouTube + mobile phones capable of recording video ie. the 'look at me' element
d) An increase in the number of licensed clubs & longer opening hours
e) Under-resourced police force
f) Insufficient punishment from the courts

It's interesting that it's not just Melbourne & Sydney experiencing this, larger towns and rural areas are finding it too.

m.

 

[Pager]

Violence in general has become more common, just look at the amount of road rage that’s occurring.

Although violence and assaults etc are nothing new, the increase IMO has a lot to do with how we grow up, TV, DVD/Video, video games, movies that are violent are now the norm and almost mainstream.

Pick up any of these playstations, Nintendo’s etc and a large proportion of the games revolve around trying to shoot/kill/beat up your opponent, never before from such an early age have people been exposed to so much of it.

Sure violence both on TV and the movies has been around for years, but back in the 1950/60, s censorship and what could be shown on TV etc was far tighter, access to watching violent movies etc was restricted to the Adult population as there was no video/DVD rental industry, things however started to change in the 1970,s.

Drugs and particularly alcohol play there parts, but the increase IMO is down to the fact generations are growing up swamped in violence from the media/entertainment industry and from an early age and its almost desensitizing them to it.

 

[Happy]

Lack of respect, no fear and alcohol combined with other drugs makes volatile mixture.