August 31, 2010
It’s been described as "closing time chaos", what’s happening in downtown Barrie after last call at the bars, especially at the weekends. Much has been made of the fights that have broken out and the damage done to public and private property, so city council is looking at stricter enforcement measures and how it can have greater input in the licensing process. It's looking into launching a liquor licence review committee that would oversee applications for new liquor licences. While the Alcohol and Gaming Commission has the final say on who gets a licence and who does not, a similar review committee set up to address the same kinds of problems in Kitchener has met with success in opposing some applications and ensuring specific conditions are added to others. Barrie Police Sergeant Robert Allen told ROCK 95 NEWS that from a police point of view the problem isn’t getting worse, although there are specific times of year when police are busier when the bars close. In terms of enforcement, he says police work in tandem with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission on inspections and points to a number of charges laid against several bars late last year for liquor licence infractions.