With their liquor licences at risk, bar owners quickly agreed to be trained by the Bermuda Police Service on the Liquor Licence Act and other related Acts.

Bartenders and bar owners for several nightclubs, and sports clubs appeared before the Liquor Licensing Board yesterday morning ready to plead their separate cases on why their licences should be reinstated.

Filling Magistrates' Court number one, all tensions they felt were soon quashed when head of the board, Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves, informed them that their licences would be granted.

He said that since they had agreed to adhere to conditions outlined in a letter they had received from Police, the board was in favour of renewing their licences.

"We don't want to dictate to you and we don't want to impose onerous conditions on you," Mr. Greaves told them. But he also made it clear that failure by them to stick to the conditions, could result in their licences being revoked next year.

Police Supt. Sinclair White spoke with the owners yesterday morning just prior to the hearing and gave them the letter at that time. Afterwards he spoke with The Royal Gazette and said: "We will train them on the Liquor Licencing Act and other related Acts. We will be dealing with management and bartenders. They have also agreed to implement the BRASS programme set up by CADA (the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse)."

Supt. White said he aimed to have the Police training start in early June.

"I have already received a call from one of the Island's major hotels to assist with the education of their bar staff. I am very pleased about this. It shows we are working well in partnership."

The letter also stipulated for public bars Oasis, Escape, Spinning Wheel, the Beach and Captains Lounge to implement a system to identify all patrons immediately. Two security guards must also be on site during operating hours and the names of bar and security staff must be submitted to Police to vet.

Video surveillance cameras were also made mandatory and a directive was included that the interior of the premises should be policed.

Club 40, Oasis, Escape and Spinning Wheel were also required to have metal detectors.

Private members clubs like Champions and several sports clubs including St. David's Cricket Club, Bailey's Bay Cricket Club, Hamilton Parish Workman's Club and Western Stars Sports Club also agreed to immediately require ID from all patrons. In addition these clubs will be working with Police to ensure they have appropriate and adequate signage.

Supt. White acknowledged that most of these clubs already have signs saying that they are private but he said that further posting banning those who are not allowed, including no trespassing signs and signs that say the area is a drug free zone, would make it easier for Police to do their job.

"Many youth programmes take place at these clubs," Supt. White said, "and we will be able to use the increased penalty zone law and come in easier if signs are posted."