Police Propose Nighttime Alcohol Ban for Problem Bars in Voronezh

The police proposal to ban nighttime alcohol sales in Voronezh bars mainly concerns problematic establishments located on Revolution Avenue. A complete ban for all catering establishments is not under discussion, according to Natalya Kulikova, head of the press service for the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) department, who spoke with a Voronezh1.ru correspondent.

She stated that police approached the city administration with a proposal to impose restrictions on venues where serious and especially serious crimes are most often committed. This includes not only fights but also illegal alcohol trade or drug distribution.

Last year alone, the most problematic bars and nightclubs recorded hundreds of legal violations:

• Barak O’Mama — 219;

• Aura — 160;

• «Biblioteka» — 124;

• «Khlam» — 94 incidents.

«The administration of these establishments is not interested in the safety of their visitors,» police noted. «We propose they sign contracts with security organizations to maintain order and restrict alcohol sales after 11:00 p.m.»

The MVD also clarified that conscientious representatives of the catering industry supported the law enforcement initiative. This is because establishments that do not monitor their patrons« behavior damage the reputation not only of themselves but of all other industry representatives.

The police proposal is currently being reviewed by the mayor«s office with the participation of bar, nightclub, and other city venue owners. Then, as Mayor Sergey Petrin reported, the formulated proposals will be submitted to the city council for further development.