Bars, pubs and restaurants in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam can be part of a policing program that aims to keep violent offenders away.
Today, May 29, Coquitlam RCMP launched the Inadmissible Patrons Program (IPP) in the two cities that’s designed to prevent gang members from congregating at and around licensed establishments and eateries.
Similar to BarWatch, it will be run by the detachment’s year-old Coquitlam Gang Enforcement Team (CGET) and follows models in Surrey and Vancouver.
Participating businesses will see more police officers patrolling as they identify “unwelcome” guests and remove them from the premises, and make customer and staff safety paramount.
Currently, there are four Tri-City businesses involved in the program; however, it’s expected more will join the list soon, Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins told the Tri-City News.
In a release, Hodgins defined an inadmissible patron as a person “whose lifestyle, associations and/or activities pose a risk to public safety, either directly or from third parties,” she wrote.
“This includes individuals who are known to be associated to or involved in serious and or violent criminal activities.”
Businesses can display the IPP sign in their window or at another high-profile location on site to show that operators have an Inadmissible Patron Agreement to allow police to find and remove people from their premises.
Still, inadmissible patrons won’t be arrested or charged — as long as they leave when requested.
