Licence scans to boost club safety

Brothers Leagues Club general manager Mark Hennelly with the new ID scanner. Photo: Sarah Harvey MA0810HK

A NEW security device at Brothers Leagues Club is being used to photograph and scan the driver’s licence of patrons when they enter.

A Max Doorman machine, which keeps a photographic record of patrons, was installed at Brothers six weeks ago and will be trialled for several months.

The ATM-like device can create a blacklist of “suspect patrons” who are then banned from entering Brothers, and their record can be seen in any other club which uses the device.

Brothers is one of only three clubs in Queensland using Max Doorman.

Caloundra Hotel and the Chalk Bar are the other two.

But Brothers chairman Mark Hennelly said the device would ultimately allow other clubs in Ipswich to identify patrons who had caused a disturbance at a venue in the past.

“If someone is too drunk or causes a disturbance at Brothers we will have their driver’s licence and photo on a database,” Mr Hennelly said.

“So when they come back and we scan their licence again it will show that they have been banned.”

The same information would appear if the troublemaker went to another club.

The machine’s introduction follows the Queensland Police Union’s claim that alcohol-fuelled violence in night clubs is out of control and all night spots should close at 2am.

Only non-members have to be processed by the machine, as club members have already had their photo taken.

Mr Hennelly said he was unaware of any patron complaining their privacy was being compromised by the machine.

“I think the younger generation is now used to having their licences scanned. It’s becoming acceptable,” he said.

“They know if they don’t cause trouble they are welcome here.”

All details collected are kept off site and protected by privacy regulations, and Brothers only uses the machine sporadically as it can cause long delays for patrons.

Mr Hennelly said the device was just one of many safety measures the club had introduced.

“We have a range of measures in place including extra door staff, and police are doing more walk-throughs of the venue,” Mr Hennelly said.

Hotel Metropole manager Shawn Noyes introduced shatter-proof glass to his venue last month and said Brisbane nightspots did not take safety concerns serious enough.

“The safety of patrons should be the main concern because you want everyone feeling safe in your venue, which leads to a better atmosphere,” he said.