Making public drunkenness an offence, banning repeat offenders from parts of Dunedin city, and reviewing alcohol licensing laws are just some of the options to be investigated by the Dunedin City Council in a bid to stamp out "repugnant" street violence.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull has vowed to get tough on those who commit serious assaults, in the wake of an attack in Moray Pl last weekend which left 20-year-old father-of-two Cory Sutherland with serious head injuries.
In a strongly-worded rallying call, Mr Cull said Dunedin was routinely found by national surveys measuring perceptions of public safety (Quality of Life) to be safer than other large cities.
"I am not prepared to stand by and see that hard-won reputation trashed by a few violent, drunken louts," he said.
"Any suggestion that Dunedin should toughen up and accept that incidents of random street violence are the norm because this is what happens elsewhere, is totally unacceptable - repugnant even - to me as mayor, and to most in our community."
Every year, the city hosts more than 20,000 students who come to Dunedin to study.
Mr Cull said for eight months of every year, he and fellow residents accepted responsibility for their wellbeing.
"This is not about to change.
"If drunkenness leads to street violence, we must put a stop to it.
"Maybe laws making public drunkenness an offence should be reintroduced," he said.
"Perhaps we consider banning repeat offenders from certain parts of town."
Mr Cull said other options could be to extend the coverage of CCTV cameras in the city centre, and review liquor licensing laws in the city's bars, bottle stores and supermarkets.
"The community needs to own the problem, and say how productive they think it is to have so many outlets open at night selling alcohol so cheap."
He said Dunedin had traditionally led many changes to liquor licensing laws and their enforcement.
"It is time once again for us to take the lead in cleaning up our streets for the enjoyment of innocent law-abiding citizens at any time of the day or night, and I am more than ready to play my part in that."
Mr Cull did not know how realistic his options were for combating violence on the city's streets, but said he would seek advice on what feasible options the council had to address the problem.
"Everything can be looked at," he said.
Detective Constable Jo McLaughlan, of Dunedin, said Mr Sutherland had been discharged from Dunedin Hospital, but investigations into his assault outside Dick Smith Electronics last Sunday morning were continuing.
Police are looking for a female and three Maori or Polynesian men aged in their late teens or early 20s.
Det Const McLaughlan asked any witnesses to contact Dunedin police on 471-4954.
