By Luke Voogt
Extra police will descend on the Surf Coast to help local officers monitor house parties and gatherings as schoolies kicks off this weekend.
Surf Coast Inspector Monique Leffanue warned police would crack down on parties and public gatherings breaching COVID-19 restrictions, along with the usual targeting of anti-social behaviour.
“Our concerns are, because of the lack of events, that there will be more parties in households and accommodation venues,” Inspector Leffanue said.
“We’ll have an increased police presence across the Surf Coast and any issues that come to our attention will be addressed appropriately.”
Inspector Leffanue encouraged schoolies to physically-distance where possible and wear masks if not.
“We ask that they don’t drink to excess or take illicit drugs, they look after each other and they do it in a COVID-safe way,” she said.
“We’ve been given these restrictions for a good reason and we just need to abide by them for safety.
“We understand it’s been a really difficult year for everyone, particularly for year 12s that have missed out on so much.
“I think the majority of schoolies do the right thing.”
The lack of events this year would create increased challenges for local officers and their Melbourne reinforcements policing schoolies, Inspector Leffanue said.
“Most years schoolies have events that they can go to and they are always really well policed and well organised.”
Despite Queensland being off-limits to schoolies until its border with Victoria reopens next Tuesday, Inspector Leffanue said bookings for the Surf Coast on Schoolies.com were lower than usual.
“We were really surprised when we saw the numbers were down.
“I think the COVID environment and the lack of events that councils are able to hold plays a part in that. The Surf Coast is really quite busy otherwise.”
Normally about 3000 schoolies flock to Lorne each year, along with another 1500 at Torquay.
Some school-leavers could delay their celebrations, with the Schoolies.com website floating possible new dates for the event dependent on government restrictions.
