Police will be out and about across the state to keep the community safe by providing a highly visible presence; policing any anti-social behavior detected; and targeting road safety by focusing on the fatal five.
Everyone must take responsibility for their own behavior.
State Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Harvey said police want the community to enjoy the celebrations, and as a result will have little tolerance for any bad behavior by individuals that might impact on the wider community.
“The evening is about enjoying and celebrating the new year. Anti-social or disorderly behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated, he said.
“We will have officers in all of the major celebration areas monitoring crowd behavior and ensuring a safe night.
“If you are out and about with friends or family it’s not just about you getting home safe but it is also about looking after each other, making sure everyone gets home safely.
“We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable night, and we will not hesitate to stamp out any anti-social behaviour.”
This year large crowds are expected at a number of areas, particularly within the Adelaide Central Business District (CBD) and along the metropolitan coastline.
Two additional declared public precincts will be in place. The first in the Adelaide CBD, to include the area bounded by North Terrance, West Terrace, Currie/Grenfell Street and East Terrace – which also extends north to cover Elder Park and the northern riverbank area. The second is in Glenelg in the area bounded by Brighton Road, the seafront, Pier Street and ANZAC Highway.
Image 1-Adelaide CBD Declared Public Precinct Area
Image 2-Glenelg Declared Public Precinct Area
Within a declared public precinct, police have the following powers:
- Conduct a metal detector search of a person;
- Carry out general drug detection in relation to any person;
- Ban a person between specified hours;
- Direct a person to move on;
- Provide an offence of “behave in a disorderly or offensive manner in a declared precinct’ with a maximum penalty of $1250 or an expiation notice of $250 + Victim of Crime Levy; and
- Remove a child under the age of 18 Year’s if the child is in the opinion of a police officer, in the declared public precinct in circumstances that place the child at risk.
More information about the boundaries and powers of Declared Public Precincts can be found on the SA Police website: https://www.police.sa.gov.au/your-safety/declared-public-precincts
To coincide with policing at the major celebrations, our officers will also be out in force on our roads.
“A major state-wide traffic operation will be in force during New Year’s Eve which will be aimed at increasing road safety and reducing road trauma,” warned Assistant Commissioner Harvey.
“Road safety remains a major focus and those who choose to drink/drug drive can expect to be detected.
“You can expect to be stopped at any time on our roads and be alcohol or drug tested.
“The volume of lives lost on our roads this year is alarming. Drink and drug driving is one of the main fatal five areas that concern police. There are so many alternatives to driving a vehicle to a location and there is never an excuse to drink/ drug drive – especially on New Year’s Eve.
“Drink/drug drivers – or any driver who is distracted; doesn’t wear a seat belt; speeds to get to a location; or is a dangerous road user in any way will get caught. They must consider the consequences of killing or injuring someone as well as the impact on all those other people around them.
We’ve had 4 lives lost in the last week as a result of road crash and we do not want to add to that tomorrow night.
Lives lost on South Australian roads in 2019 currently stand at 113 compared to 80 for the same time last year.
“We hope everyone has a great night and is able to spend a safe and enjoyable evening with their family and friends.”
The community is reminded that there will be road closures and speed restrictions around Adelaide Oval and Elder Park tonight. Some metropolitan and regional areas may also have additional road closures/speed restrictions.
Please avoid these areas or allow extra time to complete your journey and look out for pedestrians.
If you are travelling to an event tomorrow night police advise you to leave the car at home and seek alternative transport or make use of free public transport from 5pm New Year’s Eve until 6am New Year’s Day. More information can be found on the Adelaide Metro Website; adelaidemetro.com.au.
“I’ll also remind people of the recent very hot weather we have experienced and the potential that still exists for bushfires, said Assistant Commissioner Harvey.
“Do not even contemplate using illegal fireworks and putting lives and properties at risk. If one should go astray and start a fire that could be devastating.”
If you witness any suspicious behavior or require police attendance, please call police on 131 444 or for an emergency please call Triple Zero (000).
