By ALESHA CAPONE
INCREASED police patrols on Sunshine’s main streets are set to crack down on public boozing and intoxicated behaviour.
Brimbank Police Inspector Chris Gilbert said he spent three hours touring the CBD on a recent Monday afternoon, speaking to traders and residents.
Insp Gilbert said as a result of the tour, he was concerned about the number of people drinking alcohol in public areas of Sunshine.
“If people want to drink, that is fine, but they should do so at a home, a friend’s house or licensed premises,” he said.
“We don’t feel the streets should be the place where people drink. We are going to start impacting on that and it’s also about us contributing to a change of culture.”
Insp Gilbert said Brimbank police would start patrolling the Sunshine shopping area more, maintaining “highly-visible police presence,” to help deal with the problem.
He also said police would seek advice from health providers about how they could assist people with significant drinking problems, to break the cycle which leads them to public drinking.
“Even though they (public drinkers) might not be committing crimes, they can make people feel unsafe,” Insp Gilbert said.
“In the next few months, we are looking at fairly consistent enforcement as part of that solution.
“It is something we are going to implement over a period and people will notice a difference in the coming weeks and months.”
Insp Gilbert said when he toured Sunshine’s CBD, police warned anyone they encountered with liquor against drinking in public.
“The message has been sent. We will be back and we will take action,” Insp Gilbert said.
The inspector said police would also implement anti-alcohol measures in areas such as the St Albans CBD.
In Brimbank, local laws prohibit people from consuming alcohol or possessing open liquor containers on council property and public areas.
Last month, Star reported Brimbank City Council would apply for funding to install CCTV cameras in Clarke St, to help combat public drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.
