Yakutia debates extending alcohol sales hours despite crime reductions
A public discussion has been held in Yakutia to review and potentially amend the law 'On Establishing Additional Restrictions on the Time, Conditions, and Places for the Retail Sale of Alcoholic Products'. Initiated by Il Tumen deputy Victor Fedorov, the event was organized in response to a request from the public organization 'Together We Are Strong'. Participants suggested several measures to strengthen the law, including extending alcohol sales until 22:00, creating specialized stores, establishing a police department to tackle illegal alcohol trafficking, and limiting the number of retail outlets in residential areas. The current law, passed in 2015, has seen a decrease in alcohol-related crimes. Last year, there were 4168 such cases, a significant drop from previous years. The extended hours proposal comes amidst a decrease in alcohol-related offenses, with assault cases down by 54.5%, robberies by 24%, and armed attacks by 20%. Murders under the influence of alcohol have also decreased by 33%, with crimes involving serious bodily harm down by 24% and torture cases by 50%. Additionally, the number of people detained in public places under the influence of alcohol has decreased by 8%. Despite these improvements, there are still 120 fake cafes operating after 20:00, selling alcohol without proper regulation. The number of alcohol kiosks has decreased from 1100 in 2015 to 842 in 2018, and the number of licensees from 497 to 402 units. A special commission, led by an unnamed deputy, has been proposed to develop suggestions for amending the law. The public discussion has highlighted the need for further amendments to the alcohol sales law in Yakutia. While the current law has led to a decrease in alcohol-related crimes, the presence of unregulated alcohol sales points and the need for stricter enforcement suggest that additional measures are necessary. The proposed changes aim to create a safer and more controlled environment for alcohol sales in the region.
