KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP and local business owners have teamed up to keep the city’s nightlife safe and enjoyable.
The Inadmissible Patrons Program starts Dec. 1, and will aim to keep gangs and potentially dangerous patrons out of hot-spot destinations in Kamloops, such as bars, restaurants, or gyms.
Kamloops RCMP Const. Brad Matchim works with the Crime Prevention Unit, and says patrons that will be asked to leave through the program include known gang members, drug dealers, and violent criminals.
“What the real main difference now (is) the bar has given us permission that if we see these people in their establishments, we can kick them out on their behalf.”
Matchim says most officers know who the dangerous offenders are, so with their regular bar checks, it won’t be hard to spot them and initiate the conversation.
“Not saying that we’re seeing more of a gang increase in the city, but we do have gangs here, and that’s the reality,” Matchim admits. “So we’re just trying to keep out in front of it, and keep places safe for the staff and their patrons as much as possible.”
While many bars and nightlife establishments deal with issues like fights or violent people starting trouble from time to time, Matchim says the goal of the program is to minimize that by ejecting those problem visitors earlier in the evening.
Some of those involved in the downtown nightlife scene, like Blue Grotto owner Dave Johnston, will be participating in the program, and already have the sign hung up at the entrance.
“You put that sign at your door, you maybe take a little bit of a risk of your customers walking through the door and seeing this and going ‘oh do they have a problem here’?” he admits, “and it’s not that, it’s the fact that, ‘No there is no problem here, and there is not going to be a problem here’.”
Johnston says his establishment hasn’t seen many issues or fights break out, however with his experience in the industry, he’s seen what can happen to a business when a gang makes an appearance.
“The rest of your customers kind of look around and they go ‘well I don’t really feel safe here’,” he says. “So if they don’t feel safe, they’re not going to come around, they’re not going to come back.”
Citing the Blue Grotto’s dress code as an example of keeping patrons comfortable, Johnston says an intimidating atmosphere is exactly what they try to avoid, and the safety-minded program is meant to make evenings run smoother.
“It’s not a law — this isn’t taking away anybody’s rights. It’s just saying, if we come into a bar, and we see somebody that we think might be a threat to you, your staff, or your customers, then yeah, we’d like to have a talk with them.”
Nearly 20 businesses in Kamloops have already signed up, and plans have been made to operate the program year-round.
