By James Atkinson
New South Wales Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has reportedly backed the introduction of a lockout to curb violence in Sydney's Kings Cross.
Since the recent fatal assault of teenager Thomas Kelly, the State Government and police have been in talks with pubs and clubs in the area about reducing alcohol-fuelled crime.
The ABC has today reported that Commissioner Scipione has announced his support for a lockout that would prevent patrons from entering venues after a pre-determined time.
"It doesn't mean you have to empty the venue, it means that no one can enter," Scipione said.
"It means that patrons don't go from one venue to another, when they've had too much to drink, and move on to another location where they can drink even more alcohol.
"It also stops a lot of the interactions in the street."
Australian Hotels Association (NSW) CEO Paul Nicolaou told TheShout the proposed lockout was clearly not going to work.
"How would the lockouts have prevented the death of Thomas Kelly?" he asked.
"What we need are solutions that are going to solve the issues that are pertinent to the Cross, i.e. transport, high visibility of policing, more CCTV and zero tolerance on street crime."
How about the police do some actual policing? How would a lockout have helped that guy that was killed last month? The guy who hit him was apparently walking round bashing people for 2 hours. where were the cops?
Hang on, so to stop assaults that happen at 10pm in the street, we put a lockout on the pubs??? If assaults happen between 9pm and 3am Friday and Saturday nights, shouldnt police be there and be seen??
Take the cowards who commit these assaults into hospitals & force them to work with the victims. Try to force some sense & remorse into their brains. If they re-offend, make the penalty much harsher, if the assaults are extra vicious give them no rights in prison for the 1st 18 months. No television, cold water for their tea, luke warm showers, limited food etc. Maybe the early lockouts are a good idea, but if venues close earlier who will compensate the wages of those who work late at night?