Police target drug use
NSW Police will shift its efforts to curb alcohol-related violence at beaches as Operation Simmer starts.
Assistant Commissioner Cath Burn said the metropolitan-region operation will target drug and alcohol-related crime in the city and surrounding beaches throughout summer and at major events including New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Police are sending a clear message to the public with Operation Simmer; if you are planning on celebrating over the summer months, make sure you don’t engage in unruly or anti-social behaviour, otherwise chances are you will be caught and dealt with, she said.
Police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour, whether it be alcohol, drug or traffic-related.
Sniffer dogs were used in Kings Cross over the weekend in a precursor called Operation Simm that led to the arrest of 20 people for drug-related offences.
A further 52 partygoers were arrested in an anti-drug operation at the Global Gathering festival at Moore Park.
Summer in Sydney is a time marked by many celebrations. Police want people to enjoy themselves, but no one wants to have their celebrations ruined by other people’s bad behaviour.
Have your say: Will sniffer dogs help reduce violence on streets and beaches?
No I appluad this article and the work the police are doing.
Drugs are against the law – Simple, no point in arguing which group does drugs more etc etc – Kudos to Operation Simmer.
Most Australians are honest, law abiding people. Most LBGT are honest, law abiding people.
Oxford Street’s excessive revellers account for a small percentage of LBGT across the entire Sydney region.
Some people are surprised to realise that many Gay people dont get drunk or do drugs or involve themselves in crime.
I don’t agree, Michael. Our LBGT people are no less or more involved with illegal drugs than other identifiable groups. Our bars and clubs are filled with people on ‘E’ and meth, and alcohol fuels the entire Oxford Street patch.
I’d suggest that virtually every incident of violence in the Oxford / Surry Hills command area is alcohol/drug related. Drunks and drugged people do dumb things. The lose control and react rather than think.
Do we really need to have 24 hour clubs and pubs? Do we need to be able to club hop at 4 am? Maybe I’m just an old fart who is past his use by date. Still I think that there’s something to be said for the lockouts and the restrictions on hours of operations.
It wasn’t so long ago that riots occured due to a mix of hot weather, alcohol and racial hatred. We are safer with the extra police presence . Most Gay people have nothing to do with crime or crime related matters as they are honest, law abiding citizens. Have a conscience this Summer. Report any alcohol or drug related problems to the police. Its a simple phone call and it can be done anonymously. Be accurate with information given to police e.g car registration numbers, street names, accurate descriptions.
Importantly dont leave yourself vulnerable by getting directly involved in a messy and potentially criminal matter .
Always report crime. It wont go away by itself. We must do our bit to uphold public peace and lawfulness.
Lets make a safe Summer !
Michael. Inner West.
This time of the year as the weather gets warmer, there is an increase in violence here in Sydney. I dont know what the use of sniffer dogs will do for the situation but on the spot arrests should be in force!!