BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE government is said to be speedily moving to make persons under 18 years who are admitted to nightclubs and other entertainment spots a criminal offence.
According to a press release from the Communications Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett, would be seeking parliamentary approval to make it a criminal offence for a person to be permitted to enter any form of adult entertainment if that person is under the age of 18.
The release also stated that if the owner, occupier or licensee of a night club, bar, casino or other place of adult entertainment were found guilty on summary conviction, he or she should pay a fine not exceeding EC$5 000.
It further stated a second offence would result in a fine not exceeding EC$5 000 and revocation of the business licence of that particular place or establishment.
The Bill – Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2011 – will be introduced by the AG and have its first reading in Parliament tomorrow (Apr. 28).
However, in some quarters, the following questions are being asked: Should the law be passed, what will the government try to achieve? Would it be to keep children off the streets with the hope of keeping them out of trouble? Or will the government be hoping to limit minors from being open to environments of alcohol, smoking and lewd behaviour?
Inquiring minds are also wondering how this law would help for places such as the Frigate Bay Strip, which is an open venue for entertainment with bars that have no doors or checkpoints for security purposes.
Other questions that arose are: What about events such as the annual St. Kitts Music Festival and similar concerts and shows, as the release states - “ANY form of adult entertainment.” Which ministry will be responsible for policing this law? Who will check for Ids, and would this put a strain and additional cost to owners’ pockets?
It is also said that 18 years is not an appropriate age to consider because there are high school dropouts at age 16 and are working. Therefore, why those persons should be deprived of entertainment if they are taking care of themselves and are able to give consent at age 16?
SKNVibes spoke with a number of nightclub owners and event promoters who shared their thoughts on the idea of putting the law in place.
Fitzallen Fulton, who manages an entertainment venue and casino at Port Zante called Ma Pau, said he is in agreement for that law to be passed because if individuals are underage they should not be in casinos or clubs.
He also stated that club owners and managers would have to ensure promoters are enforcing the law when their venues are rented for such events.
“Where are the parents? When their children out late at nights, the parents should be locked up,” he added.
Owner of The Green Valley Pub in Cayon, Big Lice, also lent his opinion on the matter. He said if it were a matter of safety and trying to prevent things from happening to the youngsters, then he has no problem with it.
“I don’t see a problem if it would be a deterrent. It might help the youngsters not being in danger and being off the streets,” he stated.
He however stressed that the mechanism have to work together because it makes no sense for people to be leaving school at 16 and at the same time be restricted from certain things.
Usef ‘Ubal’ Connor, a promoter had a similar view. He said to restrict the age until 18 does not seem right, because if one could leave school at 16 why wait two years to be able to party.
“I think they should think it over and probably say you have to be 16 to party but 18 to drink alcohol and 18 to enter a casino, but not just making it one broad heading saying 18 and older to enter entertainment spots,” he expressed.
Popular nightclub owner and promoter Romeo Parris of Club Kactus said although he is in total agreement with the law about Ids, owners should not bear all the responsibility because most the time the promoter rents or leases the venue for the night and they would normally have their own security because of the cost factor.
“I cannot be charged if the promoters don’t obey the laws of the land. To hold me responsible is hard and it will kill the spirit of the entire implementation,” he said.
He stressed that it would be wise for them to find out where the fault lies before blaming anyone.
Parris noted that he would like to compliment the government for introducing the Bill with such expediency, but they should look at individual cases to see who should be held responsible.
He hopes that this would also be applied to government events, as it would have to work straight across the board.
Speaking with Mario Williams, the owner of Pon De Edge in Sandy Point, he thinks that it would have great financial effect because it is mostly young people who support most parties and events.
“I think 18 is too above because so many people leave school at 16. So you mean to tell me they don’t have a chance to enjoy themselves? I don’t see it necessary to use 18,” he added.
He however noted that there are different angles from which it should be viewed.
“Looking at it on a parent level, I would not like my child to be in a club while in school. So that law is something I would not go against if they are 16 and still in school,” he declared.
Another promoter, Elton Dupont of Link A Link Promotions, said while this law could be a good thing it also has adverse effects.
He said it is good because many youths are going down the wrong path and order is needed to get them back in check, but, at the same time, young people are the only ones going to certain parties.
Dupont said he hopes this would include events like music festival and stage shows, because there is nothing different that happens in the clubs that do not happen at those places.
The draft legislation that would be read tomorrow states that it “shall not be a defence for the owner, occupier or licencee of the place or establishment to claim that he did not know that the person admitted to the premises was a person under the age of 18 years”.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Dr. Denzil L. Douglas promised that the legislation would soon go before the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly to put the onus on bar and nightclub owners to keep underage children from attending nightclubs, following the death of a 15-year-old girl after attending a function at a nightclub.
Therefore, if the law is passed, individuals will have to present a valid picture ID when entering nightclubs and other entertainment spots.
