Alcohol_Fuelled_Violence

Alcohol fuelled violence has not been taken seriously by police or the public. Critically discuss and include in your answer at least one policing strategy for addressing this problem. Alcohol fuelled violence ‘has’ been taken seriously by police and public in recent years. The introduction of new strategies, zero tolerance and community awareness have all helped towards fixing the problem. Unfortunately there is strong evidence of an association between the consumption of alcohol and violence (Graham & Homel 2008). The rates of physical and verbal abuse by a person affected by alcohol were more than twice the rate for other drug types. In addition, more than one-third of victims (38%) had consumed alcohol themselves at the time of the incident. This is consistent with evidence that shows that a significant proportion of violent offences are committed by and committed against people who have been drinking or are intoxicated (Plant, Plant & Thornton 2002). But in recent years evidence shows that the public and police have been taking alcohol-fuelled violence seriously, this is evident via strategies and new laws that are being created. The Police in Australia devote a significant amount of resources to responding to incidents involving people who are intoxicated. Recent research estimated that around 10 percent of police time was dedicated to dealing with alcohol-related incidents, of which the most common was responding to assaults (Donnelly et al 2007). Dealing with each assault takes an average of more than two hours and as such, places a significant burden on police resources (Donnelly et al 2007). The total cost to policing across Australia from crime attributable to alcohol is around $747m annually. In 2007, NT police and partner agencies began a process to develop a multi-agency response to antisocial behaviour in each of the major regions of the Northern Territory. A problem-oriented approach To these issues was taken, where a focus was placed on the underlying problems and root causes, rather than continuing to respond to the exhibited symptoms. The approach allows participants to tailor responses to identified issues, which will Potentially result in measurable solutions being developed and implemented (Fleming 2008). These and other examples of community policing initiatives can be found in local communities across the country. Indeed, Australian police are now taking Their community policing skills offshore and assisting to maintain a safe, stable and secure region in the Pacific (AFP nd). In addition, the Australian Research Council and other Australian funding bodies such as the Criminology Research Council are consistently providing funds for projects that involve police and Communities working together to address antisocial behaviour, crime prevention initiatives and social disorder. (Community policing in Australia Judy Putt (Ed). Alcohol fuelled violence is taken very seriously by the police body because they understand or are learning to understand that a lot of the crimes committed, a large majority of them are alcohol fuelled. It was noticed via statistics such as There is strong evidence of an association between the consumption of alcohol and violence (Graham & Homel 2008). Conservative estimates suggest that in 2004–05, the total costs attributable to alcohol-related crime in Australia was $1.7b; the social cost relating to alcohol-related violence (which excludes costs to the criminal justice system) was $187m; and the costs associated with the loss of life due to alcohol-related violent crime amounted to $124m (Collins & Lapsley 2007). So to deal with this Police in Australia devote a significant amount of resources to responding to incidents involving people who are intoxicated. Recent research estimated that around 10 percent of police time was dedicated to dealing with alcohol-related incidents, of which the most common was responding to assaults (Donnelly et al 2007). So as the research shows alcohol-fuelled violence is a very serious matter for cops. The Public on the other hand have mixed feelings, whens it comes down to their feelings on the matter; you have to include social beliefs, culture, peer pressure etc. In order to effectively address the levels of violence in the community, core beliefs and attitudes about violence must also be changed. Against the backdrop of alcohol-fuelled violence in Melbourne’s CBD, policies and programs are currently being put in place to curb the growing number of assaults. Such initiatives include Youth Resource officers, Safe Streets Taskforce and the Operations Response Unit. An example of when the public did stand up was when The Waitaki Area, which is a small community of around 1,500 people on the South Island of New Zealand noticed that alcohol was the leading cause of crime and car crashes in the community. Parents of high school students approached police about youth drinking and a number of targeted initiatives were set up. Local police, council and health staff pooled resources and ideas and came up with rugby club sponsorship contracts where if players got into alcohol-fuelled trouble, they had to pay $1,000 back into the sponsorship fund. Parent–youth contracts ensured a ‘no questions asked’ ride home at any time of the day or night. Young people, risk and resilience: The challenges of alcohol, drugs and violence (AIC) A strategy that was put in place was Melbourne’s 2am lockout, which began June the 3rd and ended on the 2nd of September 2008. The Lockout was a three month trial of 2am late entry bans for pub, bar and night club venues. During the trial, licensees in the inner city council areas of Port Phillip, Stonington, Melbourne including Docklands and Yarra councils could not allow patrons to enter their venues from 2am to 7am. Unfortunately the strategy did not succeed, the reasons for this were the majority of law abiding people punished was of a small minority, there was a spill over of people on the streets between 1am to 2am and the loss of revenue and business for venues. Club owners were also to blame as a lot of them came out in the media and vented their disapproval. Augusto Braidotti the general manager at cookie and revolver was quoted as saying “Its like a bank getting continuously robbed and the only answer the police have is to limit the hours of trading of the bank, or closing it down. Yes, illogical” and there was also Jason McConnell who is a shareholder at HooHaa Bar, he said “Firstly I think this move is draconian and I will never vote labour again!” If these strategies are going to work everyone has to be supportive of it and that includes the police, government and public. It’s a well-known fact that alcohol is a contributory factor in a significant proportion of violent offences. According to BCS 2008/09 figures victims believed the offenders to be under the influence of alcohol in 47 per cent of all violent incidents. There were 973,000 violent incidents involving alcohol according to the 2008/09 BCS, stable compared with 2007/08. 2am lockout 'sent pubs into receivership' Vanda Carson June 24, 2009 The other strategies that have been more effective are Front line policing, Operation Unite and responsible liquor licensing project all of which have proven very effective. The term “zero tolerance” has been interpreted and used widely in public debate. In manufacturing, zero tolerance of defects is a quality assurance goal. In dealing with alcohol fuelled violence, it is a clear statement of intent, though in policing there can be considerable doubt in this term. Some people claim that zero tolerance policing is responsible for the significant decline in crime in the United States, but such an assertion is simplistic in the extreme, as crime reduction (and crime prevention) bring into play many interconnecting strategies. Strict enforcement of minor offences can be extremely useful in certain settings, but it can also have unintended consequences. The pressures on police are enormous, and good information and analysis, good communication with the community, and continually updated professional skills will serve police and the community well. Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice Zero Tolerance Policing P.N. Grabosky. Zero Tolerance is a strategy that is being heavily looked at as well to stop the rate of violence on our streets, Victorian Police Minister Peter Ryan visited New York City to investigate its zero tolerance policing, which is credited with cleaning up the city's streets. Mr. Ryan said the principles underpinning zero tolerance policing were relevant to Victoria and being able to deal with anti-social behavior was important. Mr Ryan was quoted as saying "Zero tolerance policing is paying particular regard not only to the serious forms of crime that occur in our community but also to the small things," he also said “not turning a blind eye to vandalism and tackling alcohol-fuelled violence were part of the approach.” By Melissa Iaria and Melissa Jenkins, Vic government explores zero tolerance. Conclusion