By JONATHON HOWARD
LAGUNA Jack’s Steak House on Hastings Street has become Noosa’s first venue to install ID scanning technology.
The ID scanner will capture an image of each and every patron’s identification and the data will be held for up to three months.
Laguna Jack’s owner John Whimpress said the machine cost about $1000, but the safety and security it provides was invaluable.
“This will ensure that every person passing into the venue will have their ID scanned,” he said.
“This is also hooked into our CCTV system and enables our security to know the identity of any trouble makers.”
Laguna Jacks made Queensland media headlines last year after Virgil Macquarie Power Jnr, 29, king-hit a patron and caused the most random violent act seen at the establishment.
CCTV footage showed Power Jnr throwing a drink on Michael Halbauer and then flooring him without warning at Laguna Jacks bar at Noosa in September 2013.
Power Jnr was sentenced by Magistrate Bernadette Callaghan to 240 hours’ community service and the Magistrate took into account the “remorse’’ shown by paying the victim’s $24,000 medical bills. This was to repair serious damage to his face and teeth.
Sunshine Coast police inspector Mike Miley said the prevalence of assaults in Noosa, particularly Hastings Street, was on the decline.
“Noosa is a safe place,” he said.
“We would also very much like to see these systems rolled out across Noosa.”
Inspector Miley said Noosa was not included in the Safe Night Out initiative adopted by Mooloolaba and Maroochydore venues.
