The police will not tolerate public drunkenness or public order offences (video)

The police remind everyone that public drunkenness is a punishable offence, and that the police especially look for public order offenders.

The community is disturbed by drinking in public or public drunkenness, which disrupts and interferes with others, and can even pose a threat to the safety of city residents and visitors alike. During the summer, there are relatively more drunken people in the city streets, squares and parks.

On 3 July, in the reconstructed square in Smolensko gatvė in the capital’s Naujamiestis neighbourhood, officers of the Vilnius City Second Police Station observed a small group of men drinking in public, who were joined by others, bringing more alcoholic beverages. The variety of beverages was also problematic: some were drinking beer, while others were drinking Ukrainian-made mouthwash containing alcohol. Without giving it a second thought, the men urinated in public. All of them were issued protocols (penalty notices) regarding public drunkenness, and one of them also received a protocol (penalty notice) regarding a public order offence.

The police remind all who enjoy relaxing in this way that drinking alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants in streets, sport pitches (fields), squares, parks, or public transport, or the appearance in public areas of a drunken or intoxicated person, offending public dignity, is punishable with a penalty (fine) from 20 to 100 euros. Larger penalties (fines) are set for repeat offenders. It is strictly prohibited for those younger than the age of 20 to consume alcoholic beverages or to possess alcoholic beverages even in non-public places.

The police also remind everyone that amendments to the Republic of Lithuania Law on Alcohol Control came into force in 2009, according to which it is prohibited for persons to consume, possess or transport alcohol in an open container inside a car, except for vehicles in which the driver is separated from the passenger space. From 1 Juneof this year, a penalty (fine) of 40 to 100 euros is imposed for consuming, possessing or transporting alcohol in an open container inside a car, except for vehicles in which the driver is separated from the passenger space. A repeated offence may incur a penalty (fine) of 100 to 140 euros (Article 4221 of the Republic of Lithuania Code of Administrative Offences).

The Vilnius Police ask residents and visitors not to disturb the public order and not to tolerate such behaviour by others. The police will respond to such violations of the public order.

To preserve public order and the safety of citizens and visitors, police officers will regularly perform focused police actions, patrolling the city, paying particular attention to public gathering places and recreation areas as well as to other places in which there is a higher risk of public drinking or intoxication. The police also ask the community to participate in these efforts, too: to contact the police about persons who are drinking in public or disturbing the peace, or about drunken minors (those who are not yet old enough to legally consume alcohol).

Last updated: 17-07-2023

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