ONE year after launching a wide-ranging strategy to address public drinking in central Footscray, Maribyrnong Council has called for more police on the beat.
Of the 48 actions in the council strategy, two have been completed, 37 are ongoing and nine haven't been started.
After being briefed about the strategy on Tuesday, councillors agreed more needed to be done to address the issue of drunks, who were scaring people away from Footscray.
"The Footscray CBD is an area that's very close to my heart," Cr Dina Lynch said.
"I've lived there and worked there and raised my daughter there and it really breaks my heart walking down the street. People tell me, 'We like shopping in Footscray, but we are scared to go to Footscray'."
The council voted unanimously to write to:
Premier John Brumby requesting extra police for regular foot patrols in Footscray focusing on anti-social behaviour.
Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson requesting a review of the liquor licensing legislation and the number and location of liquor outlets in Footscray.
Traders continue to complain that anti-social behaviour is affecting their business. A number of major Footscray businesses and other organisations have hired security guards. The Mail understands these include MetroWest, Centrelink, Footscray Plaza, the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac.
Maribyrnong police inspector Ian Geddes said he had directed considerable resources towards improving Footscray's CBD over the past six months. This included more patrols, using a specialised surveillance van to monitor activities in the Nicholson Street mall, policing liquor outlets and fining people caught drinking in Footscray's "dry zone". "We've been aware of the problems in the CBD, especially around amenity but also the crimes, and we've been making it extremely uncomfortable for the people responsible. That message is starting to get out." Inspector Geddes said in the past 12 months police in Footscray had handed out 300per cent more infringement notices over liquor licensing breaches and prosecuted 57per cent more drug offences.
"But it's not just an enforcement issue. It's a health issue and a social issue that everybody is responsible for: all levels of government, police and the community."
A Liquor Licensing Victoria spokeswoman said more than 150 licensed premises in the City of Maribyrnong had been inspected since July and 80 breaches had been identified.
This was part of a statewide campaign. "It is important to note that while some premises were fully compliant, others had multiple breaches. All Maribyrnong licensed premises can expect a visit from the Compliance Directorate at some point and should ensure they are meeting their obligations under the law."
According to the LLV, Footscray has 116 licensed premises, including bottle shops, drive-ins, pubs, restaurants and sports clubs.
Footscray resident Ken Betts said anti-social behaviour had been tolerated for far too long. "You can't ban [alcohol] and even if particular shops were closed down, these people are going to find the alcohol somewhere else. The real problem is that they are untouchable, and they know it."
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