Rant 1 - Heavy Handed Security

Rant 2 - The Weekend That Was – 27-30 September 2012

Rant 3 - One Little Seat

Rant 1

I posted about this on Facebook on Saturday after hearing the story and thought it also deserved a rant tonight. I am talking about Lismore City Council’s security contractor and their seemingly heavy handed techniques that have continued in recent times.

The most recent incident involved a male who was illegally detained by security officers. He was intoxicated and not causing any trouble but was stopped for nothing more than not wearing a shirt. It was reported that the male was told he would not be allowed to leave until such time as he put his shirt back on.

I am not aware of any law at the Federal, State or Local level that makes it an offence to remove your shirt. However, I am aware of many laws making it illegal to menace, harass, threaten, intimidate, bully, assault, etc. This was clearly an example of using intimidation. There may be some issue if it was a female not wearing a shirt but that is another issue in itself.

The security contractor’s employees have been accused of being overly aggressive with females, overly aggressive and threatening towards a business owner while holding a long baton torch and an employee was even photographed using an extendable baton to deal with teenagers when clearly not allowed to.

The security contractor’s employees have even been known to snatch alcohol out of the hands of some individuals allegedly drinking or holding alcohol containers in the street. The security officers would then pour the contents out and dispose of the container.

Lismore City Council may have declared parts of the Lismore CBD an alcohol free zone in relation to consumption but this does not extend any special powers to security officers. It certainly does not make it illegal to carry alcohol. If it did, these over eager security officers could just wait outside bottle shops and pour out everyone’s legally purchased alcohol which they intend to take home to consume.

During last week’s program, I discussed the issues surrounding urinating in the street and the heavy focus on catching people doing this by Council’s security contractor employees using CCTV cameras designed to protect life and property.

Many would say they are doing a good job and many would argue against this position. I fall into the latter category for many reasons.

Heavy handed tactics are useful when the situation warrants it but they are not necessary or warranted for minor matters that can be dealt with very quickly and easily by using a few appropriate words. Giving up our rights because we fear something means we are losing the battle against things that concern us. If we allow this to happen, we have already lost the battle and there is no point even trying to fix any problems. The enforcers need to follow the rules more so than those breaking them. Leading by example is always the best

The point being made is that diplomacy is a superior tool in potentially violent situations. It is not helpful to be heavy handed since it can turn nothing into a volatile situation very quickly. Big guys without any power are not a suitable solution. A greater deterrent factor would be much more useful. An example of this would be a greater police presence.

We need to keep the trouble off the streets and get the people coming back to the CBD. They need to feel safe and welcome. Being heavy handed with those who are not usually a problem just drives even more people away from the local businesses. More businesses closing down and fewer jobs are the last things Lismore needs.

You are listening to River FM 92.9 and I am Big Rob.

Big Rob’s Rant is interactive while being broadcast. You can find me on Facebook by following the links to Big Rob’s Rant on the Big Rob’s website at bigrobs.com.au.

Rant 2

‘The Weekend That Was’ could be the mildest alcohol-related violence weekend I have witnessed in Lismore in three years. I can’t remember one milder.

‘Chest Puff Thursday’ was very busy since it was Lismore Cup Day. It was reported that there were 39 police officers on duty throughout the day - 5 provided by the Lismore Cup organisers and the rest provided by the State. It may seem like overkill but for what is traditionally a pretty rough day with heavy intoxication levels saw a peaceful day and a lot of happy people around enjoying the day and the night out that followed.

Police posted the following on their Facebook page:

“The Richmond Local Area Command would like to extend congratulations to the organisers and patrons of the XXXX Gold Lismore Cup 2012 Race Day as well as the community of Lismore for the commendable behaviour exhibited at and after the races. It was a fine day, with great racing and fabulous fashions. To top it all off there were no reported assaults at Turf Club nor were there any in the Lismore CBD afterwards. Overall there were only a few minor offences detected throughout the day and evening. Well done every body.” 

The only incident of any note was when one heavily intoxicated guy was being a bit unusual when ordering food before threatening to shoot me for refusing him service. I guess you get all sorts. He returned on Saturday night without further incident seemingly oblivious to what happened on Thursday night.

‘Friday Fight Night’ seemingly took a rest last weekend. There were not that many people around following the massive night out for Lismore Cup the night before so there was not much happening in the street. There were a handful of young people hanging around and one domestic argument that did not come to blows. It was good to have a bit of a rest. Police reported that one idiot was warned about exposing his buttocks at the Lismore Workers Club. Very classy!

Saturday night was again an enjoyable evening. There were very few people around with the majority of people in very high spirits. Police also reported an infringement notice was issued for offensive language after police were abused. Overall, it was a fantastic weekend for Lismore.

Speaking to police also directed my attention to a Facebook page they operate under the name Richmond LAC. LAC refers to the Local Area Command. The page can be found at facebook.com/RichmondLAC. A link will be provided to this page on the Big Rob’s website and my Facebook page.

Police advised me they are trying to keep it as up to date as possible and are getting much better at it. It looks like a useful page for anyone interested in the Ballina, Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas.

This is River FM 92.9 and I am Big Rob.

Find me on Facebook by following the Big Rob’s Rant links on the Big Rob’s website at bigrobs.com.au.

Rant 3

You might think that you would be safe to assume that one little seat on the footpath could not be so much trouble. Normally that would be the case but this is Lismore and one little seat can very easily become one big problem.

I am talking about the one little seat in front of the Night Owl Convenience Store in Lismore. I have a second shop next door to the Night Owl and the one little seat is also partially in front of my shop. I did make a request in the past to have the one little seat removed with the option of having it moved a few metres to the West if Night Owl wanted it to remain. This request was refused until such time as I submitted an application for footpath dining at the second shop at which point it would be reconsidered.

The one little seat has since become a hub for a major portion of the problems occurring in the CBD.

By night, people fight over the one little seat, at the one little seat or near the one little seat. They sit all over the one little seat, including on the arm rests and the back rest with their dirty feet all over the seating area, and often leave a horrible mess. Rubbish, spilled drinks, spit and who knows what else often blankets the area. The shops are also targeted with filth and graffiti.

There are often many under age individuals hanging out at the one little seat drinking and carrying on. Most are great but some harass passers by for money, cigarettes and any other reason they can think of. It has often been said that getting passed the one little seat is akin to running a gauntlet. Most people just avoid the area.

The problem is not restricted to the night. Many of these problems also occur during the day. I have personally had to get involved to stop fights both at night and during the day originating from the one little seat.

Is the solution to get rid of the one little seat?

It seems as though licensed premises are concerned about the problems resulting from people congregating around the one little seat. Their patrons seem to be running into unnecessary problems. Police seem to be forever attending the one little seat to move people on or to stop trouble. The Council must also have a major problem with the disgusting mess that surrounds the one little seat both day and night.

There has been talk of a push to have the one little seat removed by various concerned stakeholders. This may be a bandaid solution to the problem since many of those using it will just move to somewhere else. However, dispersing the groups so that they do not congregate where people go to purchase items can only be beneficial to everyone by reducing the number of incidents occurring.

This is River FM 92.9 and I am Big Rob bringing you Big Rob’s Rant.