Letters
CARRIED AWAY
Before people get too carried away with claims of victimisation and illegal activities on the part of the police, it is useful to point out a few things out.
The use, possession and supply of most commonly used party drugs is illegal. Like it or not, police have a legitimate reason to be at dance parties.
I understand there was also a substantial police presence at the other parties on the October long weekend which were not gay events. If I wanted to summarise the police use of drug dogs, I would use the term ‘lazy’ rather than ‘homophobic’.
Further, the suggestions that individuals should take a more proactive or aggressive stance against ‘illegal’ police searches or that a posse of legal practitioners should patrol the RHI are stupid and potentially dangerous.
If you interfere with a police officer doing his or her job it is an offence. You most likely will be charged with hindering a police officer, assaulting a police officer or perverting the course of justice. These are serious criminal offences.
Further, if the person is possessing or supplying illegal drugs, you could be charged with drug offences as an accessory. Lawyers have no special immunity and can get charged with hindering an investigation. The place to question a search and police behaviour is at court.
What we are seeing is the practical application of a zero tolerance policy towards drug use. it is not particularly aimed at the gay community.
I for one do not want make the logical step and say that being gay also means accepting and condoning a certain level of illegal drug use.
— Stephen
HEAVY-HANDED
We attend Mardi Gras events regularly and expect there to be a police presence and agree that it seemed to be more visible than on previous occasions.
I was, however, more shocked and disturbed by the heavy-handed approach of one of the regular non-police attendants who searched me at the entrance gate. I offered up my small bum bag to the attendant for a routine search. It contained only my house keys, small amount of Visine in an eye-dropper and a couple of Panadeine Plus which I sometimes have to take post having cervical surgery in the last year.
She insisted on confiscating the contents of the Visine and called a senior inspector to examine the clearly marked strip of commercially-sealed Panadeine Plus. I had to explain and show them the scars from the recent cervical surgery. After some embarrassing moments scrutinising the strip of tablets and advising me about the availability of ordinary paracetamol (which was inappropriate for me) from the First Aid tent they gave me back the tablets and allowed me to enter.
I think that if patrons are not allowed to carry ordinary pharmaceutical items or prescription medication to Mardi Gras events it should be clearly indicated on all the websites where tickets are advertised so there can be no misunderstandings.
Experiences such as this do not make the idea of taking out membership of New Mardi Gras seem attractive.
— Shocked
PARTY ADVICE
While entering the Mardi Gras party this year, I was approached by police and told the sniffer dog had indicated I was carrying drugs, even though the dog was two metres away, did not pay interest in me, and did not sit next to me.
I was told I could hand it over, in which case the drugs would be confiscated but I would be let into the party or, I could be stripped down to my underwear and searched then and there in public. I was told if I was searched and they found drugs, my ticket would be torn up. Having been led to believe there would be no criminal consequences for a voluntary admission, I handed over my two pills. I was then arrested and charged.
If you want to enjoy your party, my advice is: be calm and do not raise the suspicion of police by trying to avoid the dog; know your rights — the police only have the right to search you if the dog sits down next to you; do not think the dog needs to smell anything for the police to search you – this may true under the law, but it is your word against theirs and the police know this; do not trust what the police tell you; and think twice about what you take to your party.
— Name withheld
Your last line says it all, JM. “That people are so reliant on drugs to enjoy Sleaze or MG says a lot.” And lets even ask :”How much enhancement is needed for a $100+ event to make it enjoyable?” I must be crazy, but I can ‘get into it’ for a lot less.
I seriously question the vocal minority on their way of wanting to tell the police what is and isnt illegal. We have writers in the press currently who are simply saying “let us have our drugs and leave us alone” Wow. I only hope the boy lovers arent the next group to claim for immunity. Then the gay bashers will want immunity. Oh boy, won’t THAT seem illegal and unfair!
Get over it kids, drugs are wrong as the law goes here in 2009. Thats it, until you passively lobby for change. In the meantime, see if the party organisers can put on a show that you can enjoy without having the need to colour it!
Go and attend Splendor, V or Parklife and you’ll see plenty of police and dog presence directed at a majority of straight revellers. That people are so reliant on drugs to enjoy Sleaze or MG says a lot.
Oliver I totally agree with you.I have had enough of this sanctimonious oh let the police be,doing their jobs etc What a load of BS.Lets face it we are living in a police state.End of story.The thuggish homophobic behaviour of police (at Sleaze etc) is on record for all to read if they wish.End of story.The police are not doing their job.End of story.We do not want any representation of the NSW police force in the parade.Gay and lesbian some of them may well be.I’m sure they will understand why.
John ,Alex I totally agree with you.I have had enough of this sanctimonious oh let the police be,doing their jobs etc What a load of BS.Lets face it we are living in a police state.End of story.The thuggish homophobic behaviour of police (at Sleaze etc) is on record for all to read if they wish.End of story.The police are not doing their job.End of story.We do not want any representation of the NSW police force in the parade.Gay and lesbian some of them may.I’m sure they will understand why.
Hi its the letter writer. I didn’t attend Sleaze. The first one I missed in 9 years. What I was trying to say is don’t get paranoid. Police are ultimately anti drugs more than they are anti gay. The currently policy has lifted the ‘leave the gays alone in relation to their drugs’ which applied. Fundamentally what we are seeing is a zero tolerance policy on drug use.
thankyou alex
the discussion is two fold and gets confused. the one i make complaint about is the BEHAVIOUR of police at the event which was had to endure, which was intimidating, totally designed to isolate, and intimidate and it did its job, we feel helpless. this is not ‘their job’. they made their point, one msg i read on another forum was of being pulled over by police, 8 times during the night, with similar kinds of responses from the police.
and all that effort, for what is it? 14 minor possession arrests?, and all dismissed by the annoyed magistrate without even a fine. i reiterate, the cases were dismissed by an unsupportive judiciary. and for this disgraceful use of resources at an event not known for its violence, the outcome for the police was nil in court, yet i think they got what they wanted, an intimidated frustrated community.
if the police ARE to be at sleaze or mardi gras with or without sniffers, we expect them to behave respectfully to us all. not in the thuggish way they did, with their IDs covered with rain coats, with the outward assumption that we are all criminal, and worthy of contempt which was plainly shown to me at all times
Wow! The police have been invited to march in the 2010 parade. Let’s hope they bring their sniffer dogs along, that should really be fun! Perhaps New Mardi Gras can also oganise a float from the Shooters Party or maybe a contingent from the Taliban to march behind Dykes on Bikes!The possibilities are endless.
The claim that Police were only doing their job (“Like it or not, Police have a legitimate reason to be at dance parties”), only shows how naive the writer is.
If it was only about drugs, the police could have just waited at the front entrance. All party goers, including anyone with drugs had to go past them. No alternative.
This is what I saw. Police also running around the party with dogs thru the night. Although I had not taken any drugs nor had any on me, I was bailed up by the police while dancing with some friends. When this friend challenged the police behaviour he was told “shut up fag unless you want to go in the van”. Are you getting the picture yet?
Later in the night, I took a women friend to the first aid tent (she’d sprained her ankle when she tripped over a discarded water bottle). While we were there, the police entered in force and proceeded to hassle everyone , including health care staff.What else but intimidation and harrassment is that sort of behaviour.
The truth is the police were out to spoil this night for the community. They were clearly homophobic.It’s a shame some members of our community are so innocent about the real motives and agenda of some of the police force in this state!
Stephen “Carried Away” – Well said. I agree completely and glad to see others taking a calm and balanced approach to the debate.