NEARLY 60 police officers will be patrolling Bright this weekend amid fears of alcohol-related violence in the town.
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About 10,000 people are expected to visit the region from Friday for the 25th Bright Rod Run.
The Alpine Shire council has created public drinking restrictions after a string of incidents last year.
John Walker, then aged 27, had his throat slashed during a brawl in the early hours of November 8.
![INJURED: John Walker had his throat cut in Bright during the rod run weekend last year. He was lucky to avoid death, with the cut less than a millimetre from his main arteries. INJURED: John Walker had his throat cut in Bright during the rod run weekend last year. He was lucky to avoid death, with the cut less than a millimetre from his main arteries.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/u2TKvX7hYXGMrKgrD4ZiFN/9e73d02c-5792-4e76-9b8d-ddbbebfb9ba6.jpg/r1030_1318_5650_3766_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A piece of glass appeared to have been used in the attack.
Senior Sergeant Doug Incoll said police had battled to keep a small minority of people who attended the car event under control, and two people were hospitalised.
“Over the years people have been well-behaved, but last year a different demographic turn up,” he said.
“We certainly don’t want a recurrence of last year.”
Public drinking has been restricted from noon to 8.30pm and 57 police will enforce order over the weekend.
Portable arrest cells will be brought in from Melbourne and a brawler van will be in use.
It’s worth millions to the town and the wider area
- Bright Rod Run organiser Mike Dealy
“We’re asking the public to understand our actions,” Senior Sergeant Incoll said.
“It’s purely been brought about by the minority causing anti-social behaviour and violence last year.
“It’s really intended for the safety of the public.
“People should be able to go about their business without violence or abuse, and police will be going out of our way to ensure that occurs.”
![DAY OUT: Sandra Schembri, Catherine Caruana, and Vicki Miskolczi enjoying last year's event. DAY OUT: Sandra Schembri, Catherine Caruana, and Vicki Miskolczi enjoying last year's event.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/u2TKvX7hYXGMrKgrD4ZiFN/dcee33a2-b04b-4f69-bdec-ae18c1efc127.jpg/r0_334_5184_3260_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
He warned there were significant fines for those breaking the law.
“People are welcome but they need to behave themselves,” Senior Sergeant Incoll said.
“It’s about the cars, not the alcohol.”
Organiser Mike Dealy said the event was positive for Bright and surrounding towns.
“It’s been running for 25 years and you can count on one hand the number of times there have been incidents,” he said.
“It’s worth millions to the town and the wider area.
“For some of the businesses it’s their biggest weekend.”
The event will feature a show and shine, pin up competition and swap meet run by the Bright Vehicle Preservation Society.
People will start attending the region from Friday and the main events will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
“We won’t know until the weekend, but we should get 400 to 500 cars,” Mr Dealy said.
“There is probably the same number of cars that aren’t entered and just come up to drive around.
“We’re not opposed to the police doing their job.
“We’re not here to encourage the drunks and yobbos, we’re here to encourage people to show off their cars and enjoy themselves.”