Cops, clubs praise revellers for…Behaving well

Alex de Vos
POLICE and nightclub operators have praised Geelong revellers on good behaviour over summer.
Geelong Nightlife Association’s Darren Holroyd said revellers’ behaviour over Christmas and New Year had been excellent.
“Usually we expect a bit of trouble,” Mr Holroyd said.
“It’s common knowledge that you get a lot of people who go out once a year during that (Christmas and New Year) period and you tend to get a lot of trouble.
“But this year it’s been really good,” he said.
Mr Holroyd attributed the behaviour to extra police presence and ID scanners at the city centre’s main nightclubs.
The ID scanners came into operation in November to check identification and photograph patrons.
The scanners can detect fake IDs and allow nightclubs to enforce bans on troublemakers from three months to life.
Mr Holroyd said the scanners had caused minor delays in access to clubs but patrons generally responded positively.
“It (the operation of ID scanners) appears to be getting better each week,” he said.
Geelong’s new superintendent Peter O’Neill also praised revellers on their good behaviour.
“I worked on New Year’s Eve and I couldn’t believe how well behaved the people walking around were,” Supt O’Neill said.
“They were in a festive mood but they were so well behaved.”
“You couldn’t fault their behaviour.”
Supt O’Neill said the Geelong council, taxi operators and licensees should be commended for the revellers’ good behaviour.
“As a new kid on the block, it was great to see,” he said.
“Full marks for Geelong.”