Local community concerned about day drinking in parks

A recent community group post illuminated the concern of Mount Albert residents about the safety of its parks during the daytime.

The post read: “Ferndale House grounds are becoming somewhat of a worry during the day”.

In the comment section under the post, residents discussed how Ferndale Park and Alice Wylie Reserve do not have alcohol bans in place, causing people to drink in them during the day and be disruptive to the residents.

One comment pointed out seeing smashed glass, rubbish bins overflowing with bottles and people urinating in public at Alice Wylie Reserve.

Mount Albert resident David Tolua says there would be a good reason for the alcohol ban.

“We get too many of the young ones caught up in Mount Albert drinking alcohol. They are sooner or later going to get themselves into trouble.”

Chairperson of Albert-Eden Local Board Margi Watson says the initial alcohol bans that were put in place across New Zealand were based on what was happening in communities in 2015.

“A lot has changed since then.”

Residents have recently made the board aware of their desire for more bans, but there is a formal process of evidence collecting before new bans can be made.

An alcohol ban has already been put in place in the Mount Albert township, but some businesses don’t think it has made a difference.

Harsh Patel, who works at the Mount Albert Superette, says, “sometimes the homeless day drink outside the shop, but they cause no trouble”.

If the community experience people breaking the local liquor bans, Margi Watson encourages them to speak up.

“It’s up to the community — when they witness people breaking the liquor ban, they should report it to the New Zealand Police because they will enforce it.”

LISTEN: Margi Watson explains how to report when you witness people breaking local liquor bans.