Newly increased fines for Paceville club owners were “toothless” unless coupled with adequate enforcement, the head of a concerned parents’ group has warned.
Anthony Farrugia, who founded the Paceville Action Group, told the Times of Malta yesterday the significantly increased fines were “all well and good” but would only be effective if more inspections were carried out by the police.
Dr Farrugia, a lawyer, was contacted for his reaction after the government’s announcement that club owners could face a €1,250 fine for every underage clubber found in their establishments.
The new fines, unveiled on Christmas Eve and which come into force today, are significantly higher than the previous one. Under the old rules, an owner would be fined €230 for every minor frequenting a club.
“No matter how hefty the fines are, they will only be effective if clubs are held to task and enforcement is taken seriously by the authorities. We have always had the same problem when it comes to Paceville: enforcement,” Dr Farrugia said. However, “at least”, the government had done something about the situation, he added.
The issue of nightclub enforcement was raised last month when 74 youths were injured after a club’s stairwell collapsed during a stampede. Several of the injured were underage, one of whom was only 13 years old.
We should get to the point where club owners can have their licence permanently revoked
After the accident, this newspaper reported that only eight fines had been imposed on club owners for allowing underage youths into their premises this year compared with 33 in 2013. Dr Farrugia believes that the number should have been much higher.
Asked how enforcement could be improved, Dr Farrugia said the best way to achieve zero tolerance was by instilling a “self-regulation mentality”.
“If club owners face very severe penalties that could seriously damage their business, then they will be forced to take the law seriously and stop admitting underage youths at the door themselves.
“This is what is needed from bouncers, not to be glorified body builders,” he said.
Aside from the higher fines, defaulters could also have their licence suspended for a week.
Dr Farrugia said this was a good initiative, however it should be the first step in licensing-related measures.
“We should get to the point where club owners who repeatedly ignore the law can have their licence permanently revoked.
“That sends out the message that this is a serious matter and will force them to fall in line,”he said.
Under the present legislation, people under 17 can only be allowed into clubs when the owner applies for a special permit, on the condition that no alcohol is served on the premises.
In spite of this, the streets and clubs of Paceville have been described as the main weekend destination for young people as young as 12.
“I still go to Paceville every weekend and can’t imagine stopping, a 15-year-old said during a public consultation meeting about regulating the area earlier this month. “It’s where we all go,” the youth added.