The Vitebsk City Executive Committee granted citizens' requests to ban the night sale of vodka and beer

September 8, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The Vitebsk City Executive Committee has granted numerous requests from Vitebsk residents and banned the sale of vodka and beer from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. in round-the-clock stores. The local authorities' decision to restrict the sale of alcoholic beverages has come into force, the Vitebsk City Executive Committee informed a BELTA correspondent. Following the adoption of the Vitebsk City Executive Committee's decision "On the sale of beverages at night," the number of round-the-clock stores in the regional center decreased from eight to three. In addition, in one of the remaining stores, the sale of alcoholic beverages and beer is prohibited from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., while in the other two, the sale of vodka at fixed prices and beer is prohibited. Commenting on the decision, Vladimir Pranko, Deputy Head of the Public Order and Prevention Department of the Internal Affairs Directorate, noted that its adoption was due to numerous appeals from residents of houses adjacent to night stores to law enforcement agencies, the City Executive Committee, and the Regional Executive Committee with requests to ban the sale of alcohol at night. For example, on the night of August 14-15 alone, the Internal Affairs Directorate received over 600 calls from residents complaining about individuals consuming alcoholic beverages in public places. At the same time, statistics on offenses indicate a decrease in the number of criminal cases initiated against persons who committed illegal acts while intoxicated. According to the Internal Affairs Directorate, such cases account for about 30%. -0-