Bitter drop: Most penalties handed out to Maroondah licensed venues over Christmas were due to them serving drunk patrons or not abiding by their licences.
ONE quarter of licensed venues in Maroondah received a fine or warning during a Christmas liquor licensing blitz.
The operation, titled 'Emjay', targeted prominent pubs, clubs and restaurants in the Maroondah area, especially Ringwood.
Under the operation, from December 15-25, most penalties handed out were due to venues serving drunk patrons or not abiding by their licence.
Penalties ranged from $400 to $1500.
Operation co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Kevin Barrie, of Ringwood police, said only three arrests were made during the operation, all of them relating to public drunkenness.
He said while police were fairly pleased with the outcome, liquor licensing was an ongoing issue.
"Yes, they [licensees] have done well over this time, but operations will continue throughout summer," he said.
Senior Sergeant Barrie said the next operation, continuing until February, would specifically target sports clubs throughout Maroondah.
He said liquor licensing operations generally followed similar procedures.
"Say, for example, there is an RSL which has regular issues [in regard to the service of alcohol]. We give them a warning, usually one, and after that give them a penalty notice. If they continue to breach their licence then we'd look to alter the conditions of their licence or knock it on the head altogether," he said.
A total of 46 security staff had their identification checked during Emjay, all of which proved to be valid at the time.
The Weekly first reported on November 27 about a booze blitz in the lead-up to Christmas.
OPERATION EMJAY (DECEMBER 15-25) STATISTICS:
■ 69 venues checked
■ 10 penalty notices issued
■ 3 arrests made
■ 7 warnings issued
■ 7 reports made to licensing inspector
■ 46 security personnel checked (no charges)