Coquitlam police look to keep gangs and their associates out of bars and restaurants

Police are inviting bars and restaurants to sign up for a program that allows officers to remove patrons who threaten public safety, according to a Coquitlam RCMP release issued Wednesday.

Run by Coquitlam RCMP’s gang division, the Inadmissible Patrons Program authorizes police to act on behalf of a bar and restaurant to: “identify and remove inadmissible patrons from the premises.”

Police define an inadmissible patron as someone: “whose lifestyle, associations and/or activities pose a risk to public safety, either directly or from third parties,” according to Coquitlam RCMP.

If they leave the establishment when asked, the patrons won’t be arrested or charged, the release stated. Police can require the person’s name and address.

While Coquitlam RCMP will determine if someone qualifies as an inadmissible patron, the department will not maintain a list of inadmissible patrons, according to the release.

The announcement comes three months after two people were injured in a shooting outside a Coquitlam Cactus Club.

Asked about recourse for someone who felt they were wrongly considered an inadmissible patron, Coquitlam RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Alexa Hodgins responded that it was up to the individual.

“To be considered an admissible patron, a person can abstain from a lifestyle, associations and/or activities that pose a risk to public safety, either directly or from third parties. The person should not be known to be associated to or involved in serious and/or violent criminal activities,” Hodgins wrote in an email to the Dispatch.

The program is meant to: “deter public violence caused by organized crime groups and their associates by making it known that they are unwelcome and will be removed from locations with an Inadmissible Patrons Policy,” according to the release.

IPP is also meant to reduce the threat of collateral violence to restaurant patrons and to shield bar and restaurant staff from intimidation and harassment.

There may be an increased police presence at participating locations as police deal with inadmissible patrons, according to the release.

Establishments would also have an Inadmissible Patrons Program sign outside.

As the program continues, it’s possible other types of businesses could also take part, according to Hodgins.