High-tech clubs to weed out thugs

Thugs face life time bans after Geelong nightclubs roll out permanent ID scanners next week, nightlife association chairman Darren Holroyd told the Independent yesterday.
Mr Holroyd said the city area’s six main nightclubs had agreed to install the scanners as part of an accord with police to clean up alcohol fuelled crime.
Other initiatives would include a lock out one hour before closing time, bans on advertising cheap drinks and tight restrictions on all-inclusive nights, sometimes referred to as 20 buck chuck sessions.
The accord is set to launch next Wednesday, with the new rules to come into force the following weekend.
Mr Holroyd said the scanners would take and store images of licences or other ID while simultaneously photographing people seeking entry.
Information about prior infringements at any of the participating nightclubs would appear after the scanning process for staff to refuse entry.
“There will be a banned list around town, so if you mess up an one venue you’ll be banned from them all,” Mr Holroyd said.
The bans would range from three months to “life” depending on the infringement, he said.
Mr Holroyd expected the scanners to also combat underage drinking.
“They pick up fake IDs, too, and also tell you if an ID has already been presented earlier in the evening,” he said.
Mr Holroyd said a privacy policy would protect patrons, with information such as licence numbers and addresses deleted after 28 days. The technology would not allow nightclub staff to retrieve personal information, although it could be passed on to police in the case of criminal offences.
Mr Holroyd’s Lamby’s venue began permanent scanner operation last weekend after successful trials at the bar and other Geelong venues.
Patrons had welcomed the technology, he said.
“The feedback from the majority is very positive. They feel safer because everyone is being held to account for their behaviour,” Mr Holroyd said.
“The only ones who are reluctant about it probably have hidden agendas.”
Mr Holroyd expected the scanners and other accord initiatives to have a significant impact on anti-social behaviour in central Geelong after dark.
“This will go a long way to stopping it,” he said.
Mr Holroyd urged revellers to remember their ID when going out on the town from next week.
Each scanner cost venues up to $13,000 and the nightclubs would now seek government funding for further boosts to security in central Geelong, he said.
“We’re saying that if we’re prepared to put our money in, then they should, too.”
Mr Holroyd praised Geelong Safety Committee, comprising representatives of city businesses and authorities, for its work on helping develop the accord and other initiatives to stamp out violence.
He said other cities were now watching Geelong as a potential model for combating alcohol related anti social behaviour.