Licensed premises in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula have been at the centre of an operation targeting compliance, public order and antisocial behaviour to keep patrons safe.
The two-day operation ran last week, resulting in 33 licensed premises inspections at venues across both areas, conducted by Frankston Uniform members with assistance from the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula High Visibility Community Engagement Teams (HiCET).
Officers also carried out 89 crowd controller licence checks.
During the evening of 21 and 22 August, the operation led to:
- Nine penalty infringement notices (PINs) were issued to crowd controllers for alleged private security compliance offences. The offences included fail to notify Chief Commission of Police of change of details and fail to enter details into crowd controller register.
- Two 17-year-old boys were issued PINs for allegedly producing fraudulent identification material whilst attempting to enter a gaming venue on Davey Street in Frankston.
- A driver allegedly failed to stop at a red light on Nepean Highway in Frankston. The 35-year-old Hampton Park man lost his licence after returning an alleged positive evidentiary breath test of .104.
- A disqualified driver was intercepted in Frankston North. Police searched the vehicle and located a prohibited extendable baton. The 34-year-old Frankston North man is expected to be charged on summons with driving whilst disqualified and possessing a prohibited weapon.
Investigations are ongoing into reports that three licensed premises, one in Frankston and two in Mornington Peninsula, failed to ensure crowd controllers were on duty.
The maximum penalty for each day an unlicensed crowd controller performs duties is a $25,092 fine.
The maximum penalty for each day an unlicensed security business provides crowd controller services is a $25,092 fine.
Throughout the operation, police also checked patrons' identification to ensure minors were not in the bars and consuming alcohol illegally.
Similar operations will continue in the future, including in the lead up to, and during, school leaver celebrations.
Quotes attributable to Frankston Uniform Sergeant Paul Holtzinger:
"With Schoolies just around the corner, we are preparing for the annual influx of visitors along the coast.
"We are sending a very clear message to all licensed premises that we are watching to ensure they do the right thing and put patrons first - no matter the time of the year.
"They need to be across their obligations, which includes the responsible service of alcohol, checking identification of patrons, not going over capacity limits, and there is appropriate crowd control.
"We want people to go out and have fun - but please do it in a way that will not put you or anyone else in harm's way."
