A year after it was launched last year Com - Be zone is hailed a success by those who take part.
"We've expanded the scheme now to include the whole of Riccarton," says Constable Danny Morris, Canterbury Alcohol Strategy and Enforcement Team. "We started with nine licensed premises and now we have expanded to cover the whole of Riccarton.
During the last year 90 people have been through the list but no one has had to be warned twice and no one has had to be charged.
Riccarton Community Watch patrols have noted a decrease in unruly behaviour and the Students Association have noted that it appears to be making a difference.
There is an informal arrangement currently running in the Lincoln area which The Alcohol Strategy and Enforcement Team are working on to formalise, and then the Waimakariri District is looking to implement the scheme in the near future.
Initially described as an `old fashioned clip around the ear' with a modern, electronic twist, Com-Be is a monitor on persistent alcohol offenders. The community and Police work together to monitor the behaviour of people, in particular youths, who choose to behave in an inappropriate manner, says Constable Morris.
This was a local initiative for Riccarton where local licensees, on and off license, were approached by police as how to manage the problem of student drinking and behaviour. Key stakeholders include licensees, Community Constables, Community Boards, University of Canterbury Student Association, Neighbourhood Support, Residents and Business associations.
It works by banning a person from a licensed premise for inappropriate behaviour for four weeks, (the agreed mandatory time). The name is sent to the entire group so they can take the necessary action if that person attempts to either enter premises or buy alcohol from somewhere else. When someone is banned from one, they are banned from all.
The ban is not designed to stop a person from drinking alcohol completely but to disturb their social network and limit its availability. If a name comes up three times they can be summonsed and charged with disorderly behaviour.
If police are called to a disorder job in the residential area they can also ban an individual or group.
"The abuse of alcohol is New Zealand's no 1 problem, at the heart of crime," says Superintendent Dave Cliff. "It is heartening that a simple scheme can make you accountable for your actions to your peers and the community."