Police want booze ban on cult pub crawl
By KELLY LONEY - Taranaki Daily News Last updated 05:00 12/11/2009SharePrint Text Size 0 commentsRelevant offers
Police are trying again to ban boozing on Hawera's notorious annual pushbike pub crawl.
The event has achieved cult status in South Taranaki, occurring every year for the past 30 on the Saturday before Christmas.
Last year 1700 enthusiasts mounted bicycles and set off on a 7km ride taking in seven pubs.
Police have applied to the South Taranaki District Council to impose a liquor ban over the course of the event. This would prevent participants indulging in the odd stubbie en route.
South Taranaki district councillors are being called to a special council meeting on November 23 to consider the police application to extend the liquor ban across the main routes between Hawera and Normanby. "It's to reduce the potential risk. Last year a guy cut his hand falling on to broken glass. If there's no bottles being carried on bikes there's less chance of injury," Inspector Frank Grant said.
Mr Grant said there would also be heavier traffic on the state highway this year with 15,000 to 16,000 cars expected to commute from the south to New Plymouth for the Fleetwood Mac concert the same day, December 19.
Council staff are meeting with hotel owners, police and traffic controllers next Monday to discuss how to better manage the large numbers of drinkers.
The council last year voted down an application by police to extend the town's liquor ban to cover the event's route.
Council spokeswoman Alison Gibson said the group would discuss special temporary liquor licences to open up areas such as adjoining carparks and organising extra staff and food to cater for cyclists.
"We still want everyone to have fun. It's a fine balance without being party poopers. We'll be looking at how we can all sort out a safe and fun event."
White Hart Hotel owner Owen Leicester said he was interested to hear what police had in mind for this year's pub crawl.
"It's only once a year, police should keep a low profile instead of trying to stamp their authority on it," he said.
Commercial Tavern owner Sonia Bunn said she would open the carpark with portable toilets, barbecue, music and extra staff serving alcohol in cans. "I can't wait for it," she said.
Local pub crawl supporter Celine Filbee said it was only a few people who created problems and for the majority it was a "spectacular event". "A liquor ban wouldn't work. Good luck to the police trying to arrest more than 1000 people. They have no chance of shutting it down if that's what they're planning on."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-dail...cult-pub-crawl