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A massive fight and numerous serious alcohol-related incidents in New Plymouth have been attributed to the expiration of the city’s alcohol control ordinance.
Signs of New Plymouth’s liquor ban now expired.
Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Police learned that the statute could not be enforced in March, but it expired nearly two years ago.
Today, a senior council official has been questioned about who is responsible for the clerical error.
A meeting to decide whether to start the consultation on a new statute started in a cordial enough way, with New Plymouth District Mayor Neil Holdom suggesting that the chamber discredit the coastal walkway for a drink or two.
“Well, let’s talk about popping champagne bottles on the beach … oh no, let’s not. So Mr. Dyer welcomes you, good sir,” Holdom said.
But it wasn’t long before veteran councilman Gordon Brown wanted policy development to make Mitchell Dyer say who was really responsible for the mistake.
“Mr. Dyer, obviously someone didn’t do their job properly, was it you?”
Not that Holdom allowed it.
“I don’t think in a learning environment we should customize this. The organization has made a mistake. We have admitted it and we are just looking to solve it.
“We are not interested in witch hunts and I will not allow a question like that in this chamber. We go up and down together.”
The mayor went on to ask Brown if he had a better question and he obeyed, asking Dyer, “Do you know who he was?”
For the police, the expired ordinance has not been a laughing matter
They say that on the weekend of a big fight in July, 13 arrests were made for disorderly conduct, including intentional damage and assault on police personnel.
Police said that since the lockdown ended there has been a notable increase in people drinking in cars and on the streets of downtown.
Without the statute, policing has become more difficult and the police want it to be restored.
Councilman Colin Johnston also had a tough question for Dyer.
“In Urenui on December 31, 2019 this had expired. So all the people who brought alcohol to the Urenui Domain, for example, and took it away, was it legal or not?”
That made Dyer walk on eggshells.
“Your Honor, I am going to answer that question carefully and state that the statute was not in effect at that time.
“The legality of the approach or regulation of the [police] officers, I am not willing to respond. “
After the debate, the councilors voted unanimously in favor of submitting the previous ordinance to public consultation, with minor modifications.
After the meeting, Councilor Brown did not regret criticizing Dyer.
“I believe that in an organization of this size with the high degree of compensation that many of our officers receive, they should be responsible and I hope that the person is fully aware of that.”
Neil Holdom.
Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Holdom said he was not surprised to hear of a massive brawl downtown.
“I mean, I grew up in this city and … young men when they turn 14 or 15, their brain chemistry changes and they show up at 26 and they start to think more clearly.
“But in that time we dealt with a lot of damage, a lot of damage, damage to city council assets, damage to our people, and that’s what the police have to deal with.”
He was not sure what legal recourse did people who had violated the ordinance when it was unenforceable.
“I am not a lawyer and I am sure that if people feel aggrieved they can receive legal advice and everyone has the right to do so.”
“I think our goal is to go out into the community to see what they want us to do and if the feedback gets resubmitted before Christmas, which I think is likely, we have to run a good process then make that decision.
RNZ’s questions to the police about how many people were charged, fined or warned for violating the statute while it was not enforceable are treated as a request from the Official Information Act.
Inquiries about whether fees or fines will be withdrawn or refunded are handled as part of the same application.
