Coppers scanner shocker
THE latest bungle with State Government’s compulsory ID scanners – 181 patrons with bar bans not in the database – has operators shaking their heads.
The statewide database is linked to nightclub scanners to red flag anyone with a ban who tries entering venues in Safe Night Precincts such as Broadbeach or Surfers Paradise.
Queensland Police yesterday admitted 133 people with court-ordered bar bans were not on the ID scanner database due to a “technical issue” transferring the information.
A further 48 people with bans as part of bail conditions were also missed.
The technical blunder affected data transfers into the system from July 1 last year – the first day the Labor Government made scanning compulsory – to February 13.
Broadbeach’s dismayed Envy Hotel bar manager Peter Thompson said: “The scanners cost us $2000 a week and it doesn’t even work properly – that’s ridiculous.”
Opposition MP and Member for Surfers Paradise JohnPaul Langbroek said he was stunned by the system’s latest failure.
Police told the Bulletin that of the 133 patrons covered by the technical bungle, 13 had been banned because of incidents in Surfers or Broadbeach.
“Labor has put thousands of Gold Coast locals and visitors in harm’s way through their failure at every turn to implement a proper banning and scanning regime,” Mr Langbroek said. “This latest development confirms Labor’s system quite literally isn’t working.”
The scanners had a troubled beginning when launched without compatibility to many common foreign IDs, including those of Canadians and Kiwis. They required time-consuming manual entry taking minutes at a time and creating queuing nightmares in Surfers Paradise.
Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin said the latest stuffup was “disappointing”.
“We can only hope with time it does improve so the scanners are utilised for what they are there for – otherwise it’s a big waste of time.
“But the scanners do serve a purpose and help us maintain a safe environment.”
Commissioner Ian Stewart said fixes had been put in place to ensure such issues didn’t occur again: “... there is no ongoing risk to the public”.
Police Minister Mark Ryan’s spokesperson said: “The Police Commissioner has given a public assurance to Queenslanders the system is up-to-date and measures, including regular monitoring, have been put in place to ensure this does not occur again.”
Attorney-General D’Ath didn’t respond for comment. Yvette to requests