KRALENDIJK — A tolerance policy is pursued in the liquor and catering sector in order not to put persons running a business in this sector at a disadvantage. After all, the procedure of issuing a business permit does not run smoothly. But it is more likely an exception than a rule and certainly not an automatism.

 

This tolerance policy differs from the policy for companies that offer opportunity for prostitution. According to the Penal Code, the latter is punishable and only possible on the basis of a tolerance policy.Lieutenant governor Lydia Emerencia stated the aforementioned on being asked during her monthly meeting with the press. It was announced in that meeting, a joint meeting with the director of the Directorate Society and Care, Joan Brewster, inspections were going to be held on the observance of the rules and laws and the conditions in the permits in drinking and catering establishments and snacks. The administrative handling of requests and the issuing of permits were also discussed. That is a condition to guarantee a thorough inspection as regards observance.

 

It is known that the administrative procedure left much to be desired in the past, causing considerable delays in the issuing of business permits. However, a process is started to clear the files, according to the lieutenant governor. “Indeed, the work of Supervision and Enforcement is dependent on a good administration of the permits. This is only possible if that particular administration is in order”, she said.

 

In practice the handling of requests for a business permit hadn’t passed off that smoothly. The government introduced the tolerance policy for the drinking and catering sector in order not to aggrieve the appliers too much considering they have to wait a while for their permit. However, this policy is not an automatism, Emerencia warned.

 

The police are to conduct safety inspections at all times and to advise on such. If it takes too long before a permit is issued the Board of Governors can issue a permit with reservation, in anticipation of advice from the police. The investor also accepts there’s a condition in the permit that it is issued with reservation. This means that if the advice from the police is negative, the permit will be withdrawn.

 

Emerencia: “As this could have unpleasant consequences for the investors much work is being done to emphasize that the tolerance policy is an exception and the issuing of a permit is a general rule. The tolerance policy will no longer be necessary once all advisory authorities concerned function properly.”

 

A different kind of tolerance policy is the one pursued for companies that offer opportunity for prostitution. This kind of business is prohibited by law. Contrary to other legally permitted companies, the tolerance policy is not a temporary permit issued in anticipation of a definite permit. That permit is not issued because prostitution is punishable, just as offering the opportunity for prostitution is. Without a tolerance policy prostitution is prohibited. In case of clandestine prostitution the Public Prosecutor’s Office will take criminal action.

 

(Amigoe)