Patrick Cooke
‘Paceville was worse 30 years ago’
Paceville... always hogging the headlines. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Paceville saw more violent incidents 30 years ago when it was home to just a handful of bars, but the recent hype surrounding violent incidents has given the public the wrong impression of the area, accordingto the man who represents theestablishments.
Philip Fenech, president of the tourism section of the Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, told The Sunday Times he was appalled by a spate of recent violent incidents, including the stabbing of an 18-year-old man last month, but insisted Paceville “is not the way people perceive it to be”.
“When you have 15,000 people gravitating to one place, violent incidents will happen. There might be none for weeks and then a few all at once. But what we need is a holistic approach to dealing with such problems rather than blanket measures,” he said.
Last week, a meeting took place between bar owners, the GRTU and Group Acting for a Safe Paceville (GASP), the pressure group set up last month by lawyer AnthonyFarrugia after his son was beaten up by a group of men while trying to defend his girlfriend.
Both Mr Fenech and Dr Farrugia told The Sunday Times the meeting was constructive and bar owners and GASP found they shared the same concerns about the need for a more effective police presence and surveillance system. They said they plan to meet all concerned stakeholders, including the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), Swieqi council and language schools, to listen to their concerns over the coming weeks.
They then plan to produce written proposals which they hope will be taken on board by the police and authorities.
The police presence in the area has been beefed up in recent weeks due to the hype surrounding violent incidents, Mr Fenech said. But although he welcomed the increased presence and praised the police’s efforts, he believes the policing system for the area could be made more effective.
“I would like a more structured approach. For example, we could draw up a plan of the whole area and we would know where the police are at each fixed point. We could have the SAG (Special Assignment Group) van with free movement everywhere. If the police are spread out, it won’t look like a warzone, but their presence will create peace of mind for everyone.”
Mr Fenech said this dispersion of officers could also include an officer with a radio patrolling nearby Swieqi, where many residents and the council complain about noise and vandalism caused by revellers leaving Paceville.
He would also like to see more effective use of the CCTV cameras which cover the area. These were installed by the Malta Tourism Authority and are operated by the Guard and Warden Service House. Mr Fenech said when the CCTV monitors spotted an incident on camera they reported it to the police, but the response time was often too slow.
Another idea he is mooting is to create a system whereby troublemakers are barred from entering all bars and clubs in the area for a fixed period of time.
Mr Fenech also praised the role that security guards in bars and clubs play in maintaining law and order in Paceville, despite frequent allegations that some of them are too heavy-handed.
“Most of them are good people. Often when there are big incidents the police would get hurt if it wasn’t for security. Police and security men work well together; the police remove people ejected from clubs from the area so they can’t cause problems elsewhere.”
When asked about allegations that some security guards carry illegal weapons, including CS gas, Mr Fenech said: “I don’t like to hear of such incidents, but even certain girls keep CS gas on them as a precaution.
“Sometimes it is difficult to control a big crowd until the police show up if things get out of control. Many times it is a form of protecting the other people who are enjoying themselves, although at the end of the day it does hurt everyone. And the legality is an issue.”
On the issue of noise pollution, Mr Fenech said it is important to strike a balance between the needs of bars, hotels, residents and revellers. He said he agreed with the police clamping down on offenders, but certain officers were being overzealous and booking bar owners after hearing music from the street for a brief moment when a club door opened.
He did not see any problem with many of the gentlemen’s clubs staying open long after 4 a.m. because their music is not heard from the street.
No place of entertainment is licensed to stay open later than 4 a.m., irrespective of noise levels.
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17 Comments
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Sandro Pace
Aug 21st 2011, 18:16
What about plain clothes police? What about alcohol limits, and more breathyliser tests in and around paceville? This would generate more govt. revenue and instill discipline, at one go. Most trouble is probably alcohol driven.
In this little island, solutions are so simple. But not when business interests cloud political will, and is given priority.
Mr Robert Callus
Aug 21st 2011, 15:59
I don't know 30 years ago because I started going to Paceville around 18 years ago. And it was MUCH safer then, than it is now.
What Mr Fenech could have brought to his defense is that there are areas and areas in Paceville. Some places are still relatively safe. Other places have are becoming no-go areas, even if people have to pass through them to go from one place to another.
Mr Joseph Calleja
Aug 21st 2011, 15:31
Mr Fenech you said and I quote, "“I would like a more structured approach." How about instructing all the club owners not to serve liquor to minors? How about suggesting that the all clubs, even as you call them gentlemen clubs,(yeah right) close down at 2:00AM. Sometimes it is not the club's noise that is causing the problem, but the early morning loitering and noise made by the unruly and rowdy customers, as a matter of fact that is when most of the trouble starts. Unfortunately, some of Paceville happens to be a residential area and these resident's privacy has to be considered. Mr Fenech you are representing the clubs, and not the Paceville residents.
Ms Karen Zammit Manduca
Aug 21st 2011, 14:27
I wonder how Mr Fenech came to the conclusion that Paceville was worse 30 years ago. Perhaps he lived there with us - incognito....
At that time, the trouble, if and when, would mainly be the infrequent fights that broke out between inebriated commandos and a call would bring their own disciplinary forces within seconds to sort out the trouble. The incidents were few and far between, so much so that the next morning it would be the town's residents' main discussion in the streets or on the beach. Nowadays incidents take place all the time and have become so run-of-the-mill that they are rarely discussed.
Once my father was threatened by a Maltese man who would not move his car from the garage entrance he was obstructing. One of the Services Disciplinary Team was in the area and noticed the commotion. He sent the Maltese man on his way and my father thanked him for his help and went on to garage his car. On exiting the garages area, my father found the Team member waiting to escort him home, just in case the Maltese man returned to cause trouble. This was all beyond the Team member's normal call of duty. Residents felt safer in their Paceville homes then - unlike what many feel today.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 21st 2011, 13:32
Sur Fenech, smajt li ħarġu applikazzjonijiet għal min huwa kapaċi jgħid iċ-ċajt.
Ara tapplikax.
Peter Pace O'Shea
Aug 21st 2011, 13:25
The security sytstem used in Disneyland Paris is a system whihc should be emulated in Paceville. You feel safe wherever you go as you can spot polite, neatly dressed men and women who are part of the security system and you can see that at any point in time they have a system of seeking backup if the need arises. Just a suggestion. There is alot of good to have the presence of such trained people when people congregate in such a small area.
Peter Aquilina
Aug 21st 2011, 13:22
"Paceville was worse 30 years ago" - A statement that perhaps comes from the subterranean ?!! LOL
Anthony Farrugia
Aug 21st 2011, 12:05
Whether Paceville was better or worse 30 years ago is not the issue here. The facts are that the state of Paceville has been a shambles for years and something effective needs to be done now rather than later. . This is something that all players in the area, including Philip Fenech and club owners, actually want and this because they recognise that a safe environment is conducive to good business. It is positive to note that as a result of pressure from all quarters following the GASP initiative, there is now a visible Police presence in Paceville. The method of deployment of the Police is an area where opinions vary to some extent and where it is necessary for concrete proposals to be put forward without delay. GASP had planned from the start to produce a document to outline what would be considered as the ideal Policing plan for the area. As reported it now appears probable that such a document be issued in conjunction with the major players in the area, that is with respresentatives of residents, schools and establishment owners.
Suggestions are welcome and may be addressed to safepaceville@hotmail.com.
Mario Mifsud
Aug 21st 2011, 11:49
Lis-Sur Fenech: Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!! Veru taf tghid cajt tajbin. How can it be that it wa sworse 30 years ago with the few bars there where? As I remember we use to go by bus because at that time not everyone had a car like today and as far as I can remember, that that time there where no organised mini-vans either. I think you are afraid of feeling the pinch!!!!
Mr Karl Consiglio
Aug 21st 2011, 11:37
Just because Mr. Philip Fenech says that the violence was even worse 30 ago, that don't make it alright now, come to think of it everything in this country was worse 30 years ago, so what, that don't mean that you don't fix things when you see something broken.
vincent a galea
Aug 21st 2011, 10:17
"Paceville saw more violent incidents 30 years ago when it was home to just a handful of bars"
I do not beleive this.... I practically 'lived' in Paceville 30 years ago... HICCUPS, THE ROUNDABOUT, the old HILTON, the SHERATON, DRAGONARA CASINO, and a few other bars.... these were our haunts....
STATISTICS PLEASE !!!!!!!
Mr Michael Galea
Aug 21st 2011, 09:42
Don't try and portray something that is not true. With more establishments come more Fights, Drugs, and other violence ! and especially over the last 10 years it has become more violent than ever!!
Mr Paul Borg
Aug 21st 2011, 08:49
Over 30 years ago with the handfull of bars that there were, Kids did not mix with Adults like today. The clubs used to open early for under 18s and at 9.30 they used to send everyone home with minibuses to get ready for the older generation. It,s true that there were a handful of thugs that caused some problems late at night. But nowadays the bouncers become thugs and all generations mixed together become rebels. If only we can turn back time to learn. Nowadays there are so many outlets jammed together that even the bar and club owners quarrel. I am 50.....and I was there in my prime .
M Vella***
Aug 21st 2011, 10:03
Agree with you Paul,very well said.
Mr marco caruana
Aug 21st 2011, 10:04
fully agree....there was this unofficial hour between 9.30/10.30 to switch the age groups , bars used this even to clean etc .....and again 30 yrs ago PV would be deserted by 4 / 4.30 am with the exception durin Xmas / new Year parties .....nowadays its a total diferent story , with this 'boozing' culture & young generation PV has become more ferocious and a party mecca .
Pierre Micallef Grimaud
Aug 21st 2011, 10:15
Well said Mr Paul Borg. I'm 53 and lived there and witnessed it all.
Mr Michael Galea
Aug 21st 2011, 12:49
I Agree with Mr. Paul Borg 100%