Horrifying video of fights, attacks shows Queenstown s violence problem
11 Dec, 2020 02:50 AM
6 minutes to read
Queenstown s mayor and councillors have been briefed on a horrifying CCTV compilation showing people brawling in the streets. File photo / Michael Amadeus, Unsplash
Queenstown s mayor and councillors have been briefed on a horrifying CCTV compilation showing people brawling in the streets. File photo / Michael Amadeus, Unsplash
Otago Daily Times
Police will not be releasing the five-minute compilation video to the public.
One Queenstown police officer says drug harm is through the roof and warns the resort town is one punch away from another CBD fatality.
Sergeant Chris Brooks showed the video to Mayor Jim Boult and district councillors - and Boult is so incensed he s forming a stakeholders group to come up with solutions to stamp out violence fuelled by booze and drugs.
Beers on Queenstown Beach blocked by booze ban extension
10 Dec, 2020 06:16 PM
2 minutes to read
Otago Daily Times
Christmas beers on Queenstown Beach have been banned after police prompted councillors to extend its booze ban due to horror stories from previous years.
Councillor Quentin Smith said police and other agencies reported very intoxicated people being carried away having defecated on themselves .
He was speaking during a Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting yesterday at which there was a unanimous decision to bring the existing public drinking ban forward two days to include Christmas Day.
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Smith said it was not about stopping people from having fun but removing the potential for alcohol-related harm after hearing shocking stories.
The 48-hour ban precedes restrictions that come into force from 6am on December 27 and run until January 6. Councillor Quentin Smith described “shocking” images of drunk Christmas Day-revellers being carried from Queenstown s beach front after defecating themselves. “That is an enduring concern . This is obviously adjusting existing bans to bring it forward to include Christmas Day. “It’s not something completely new and it’s not out of the blue. It’s just bringing it to a date that makes sense.”
George Heard/Stuff
A man relaxes on a unicorn at Queenstown Bay on Christmas day 2018. The harbour master has also expressed concerns over water safety from a large gathering of heavily intoxicated people, Smith said.