Forty door staff have been issued with the vests, which have been proven not only to help reduce alcohol fuelled violence, but also make people feel safer, Dunedin alcohol harm reduction officer Sergeant Ian Paulin said.
The Mellow Yellow project was supported by Dunedin Alcohol Partnership, comprising NZ Police, ACC, the Dunedin City Council and Public Health South, who bought and distributed the vests to central city bars.
"For the value of 40 vests we will see quite a large reduction in violence, and people feeling safer," Sgt Paulin said.
The vests were trialled during the Rugby World Cup, and used overseas and in other New Zealand centres, including Queenstown and Invercargill.
"New Plymouth brought it in about two years ago and there was a 37% decrease in violence there."
Sgt Paulin said the introduction of vests was in part a response to some high profile cases of inner city violence. The $800 project was "a low-cost easy initiative that we haven't had".
Several bars did not want to take part in the project as the brightly coloured vests did not suit the image they wanted to project, but talks would continue, he said.
Door staff were professional who helped diffuse potential problems for police, and to have their support was important.
The high visibility of the vests gave an obvious presence which helped deter those making a decision to commit a crime.
The Mellow Yellow initiative originated in Manchester in the United Kingdom, and was first trialled in Counties Manukau in 2007.
