Police have issued three penalty infringement notices and given several warnings in relation to the new restrictions under the Public Health Order issued at midnight on Monday (30 March 2020).
With updated state-wide figures now at hand, police can confirm three individuals were yesterday issued with an infringement notice for ‘Not comply with noticed direction (Section 7/8/9 – COVID-19)’
– About 10.30am yesterday (Tuesday 31 March 2020), a 39-year-old man was stopped after being seen washing car windscreens at the intersection of Woodville Road and the Hume Highway, Chester Hill. Police will allege the man indicated he had no intention of complying with the Public Health Order, stating “It’s just a virus, it’s not that bad”. He was also issued with a move along direction and an infringement notice for ‘Pedestrians not to cause a traffic hazard or obstruction/Pedestrian stand on road to wash or offer to wash windscreen’.
– About 2.30pm yesterday, police from Bankstown Police Area Command saw four people drinking alcohol outside of a closed hotel on Bankstown City Plaza. Although three people from the group left upon speaking with police, it’s alleged a 57-year-old man became abusive and refused their directions to leave. He was also searched, given an infringement notice for offensive language and moved on.
– Just before 6.30pm last night, police patrolling Parkes saw numerous people gathering outside a residence. Officers identified that one person in the group, a 26-year-old man, was not a family member. It’s alleged that failed to heed several warnings and requests by police to leave the area. He eventually left after being issued a move along direction.
NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller said police will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the wider community.
“I have said time and time again that one of the most important powers police have is the power of discretion.
“Additional powers have been introduced with good reason and I encourage my officers to use them in the spirit in which they were intended – to keep the people of NSW safe throughout this crisis.
“I’d encourage people to continue to do the right thing without the need for police involvement and the use of these new powers.
“A good rule of thumb is that if you are questioning whether you should be doing something, it is best to give it a miss,” Commissioner Fuller said.
