LIGHTS OUT

LIGHTS OUT

I have been bombarded with questions about my take on the curfew trials that will be taking place, not only on our Oxford St but statewide. Some venues are getting the hard sell with 2am curfews and others with 6am curfews.

It seems to the average Joe Blow those with the earlier curfew are the venues police have often been called to, and are therefore problem venues. In some cases I guess this could be true, though in a lot of gay venues we have been programmed to not get involved and to call police straight away. Shouldn’t this mean, Police called equals venue trying to work for a safer environment??

Either way, we have been subjected to curfews that seem to work in many cities around the world. Tourists are often amazed that we have had venues open 24/7.

Maybe this could be a similar situation to the smoking ban in venues. We are put out at the start but seem to accept it in the long run, and go on our merry way.

I do have concerns about the curfews, one of which concerns my work. (Before I get a barrage of emails, it’s my living!) With curfews implemented this may have a direct effect on venues wanting or being able to afford entertainment, especially on traditionally quieter nights like Mondays or Tuesdays.

Another concern I have is the lockout affecting the number of patrons on the street at one time. I have experienced the problem of trying to get home during taxi changeover and many times have sought refuge inside a venue when the street got too scary. Is there going to be extra policing to make it safe for those who just want to get home? If this is across NSW, do we actually have enough police? Will the general public be on the streets till 5am anyway as taxis slow down, then whizz past you with doors locked?

There is also talk of a 10 minute break every hour after curfew, where bars seem to stop serving for 10 minutes in the hour. Coupled with no shots after curfew, this is designed to reduce binge drinking. I’m a little confused -” isn’t that just going to increase binge drinking? Don’t patrons now have a deadline? On your marks, get set, go!! You have till curfew … glug, glug, glug.

With such curfews won’t we see increases in house parties or underground venues, which will not be policed?

I truly hope we see a decline in violence, especially around our Oxford St. As patrons we need to understand that, without our help, venues we call our own will be affected, or even worse closed. If you are refused entry or cut off, don’t take it personally. With fines and the threat of venue closures, they are just doing their jobs.

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2 responses to “LIGHTS OUT”

  1. I think they should surgically implant micro chips inside us that automatically shuts down our nervous system on a temporary basis when we have too much to drink, this way they can employ “protection aid” officers who come around and pick up the temporary “frozen” individuals and place them in cabs.

  2. “On your marks, get set, go!! You have till curfew -¦ glug, glug, glug.”

    Just like the 6 o’clock swill – and that one went down a treat!