Police use new powers to lay just six fines schoolies cop praise

Alex de Vos
Residents and police have reported a quiet start to schoolies celebrations on the Surf Coast despite minor vandalism and a “small number” of incidents involving anti-social behaviour.
Detective Sergeant Craig Blunt, of Torquay’s Criminal Investigation Unit, said school leavers were generally well-behaved.
He reported a “smooth start” to the annual end-of-school celebrations.
“It’s been really good,” Sgt Blunt said.
“We’ve had a few bins knocked over and a bit of graffiti but apart from that we’ve have no serious crimes reported to us.
“So far so good.”
Torquay Acting Sergeant Shane Connolly said police had issued six on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour.
“We’ve issued a couple for having open containers and a few for mucking around on the road,” Sgt Connolly said.
“But they weren’t all issued to schoolies.”
Sgt Connolly labelled revellers’ behaviour “fantastic”.
“Speaking to the other guys, it’s been very good – once we tell them to move on they do,” he said.
“They’re leaving the pub straight away and not loitering in the streets.
“Hopefully they keep up that behaviour – all their good work can be undone by one bad incident.”
Surf Coast Community Ratepayers Group’s Spencer Leighton also reported a quiet start to schoolies week.
“It’s been very quiet but it depends on the weather – it’s been a bit cold at night,” Mr Leighton said.
“As soon as you get one of those hot nights it’s bedlam down here.”
Earlier this month the Independent revealed police had new powers to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $587 in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour on the Surf Coast.
Sgt Connolly said the new legislation would allow officers to target “disrespectful schoolies and toolies” for a range of misbehaviour including damaging property, using indecent language and ignoring orders to stop making too much noise.
Previously police had to charge offenders and drag them through the court system, which tied up resources and delayed punishment.
The new legislation also gave police powers to enforce some council by-laws, such as a Surf Coast ban on taking glass containers onto beaches.