31 December 2014

New Year’s Eve – where will you end up?

| Canfan
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ACT Policing is preparing for a busy night ahead with New Year’s Eve celebrations and asking the community – where will you end up?

Intelligence and Crime Reduction Acting Superintendent Melissa Bushby said a lot of planning goes into New Year’s Eve celebrations by partygoers and hosts; however one question remains partially unanswered.

“Do you know where you will end up at the end of your celebrations?” A/Superintendent Bushby asked.

“In planning your evening tonight – where you are going, who are you going with, how are you getting there and home – ask yourself where you see your night ending. Often police see people who have had too much to drink, lost their friends or didn’t arrange for a designated driver, and are taken into custody to spend the night in the Watch House,” she said.

“Don’t welcome in the new year in a police cell with other intoxicated people. I encourage you to talk to your friends and family and plan how you are getting home tonight.”

Police will have a highly visible presence patrolling the alcohol exclusion zones and the alcohol free events in Civic, and will be targeting anti-social behaviour, impaired driving and underage drinking. Police Operations will also be monitoring CCTV footage of the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Garema Place.

Last year police took 39 young people into protective custody; more than double from the previous year, for intoxication, possession or consumption of alcohol.

There will be a strong focus on road safety, with dedicated patrols targeting dangerous drivers across the ACT. Last year, a total of 867 random breath tests were conducted by police on New Year’s Eve with two people returning positive results. Police also issued 14 Traffic Infringement Notices.

Road closures will take place on London Circuit between Petrie Plaza and Akuna Street from 5pm until about 2am.

During the fireworks display, other road closures will be implemented on Vernon Circle between the north and south intersections with London Circuit and Commonwealth Avenue from 8.50pm to 9.30pm and also 11.50pm to 12.30am. Traffic will be diverted left along Cooyong Street, into Ballumbir Street, Coranderrk Street, Parkes Way with access to Commonwealth Avenue. Theatre Lane, behind the Canberra Theatre, will also be closed.

The public car park at the corner of London Circuit and Constitution Avenue will be closed from midday today (December, 31).

If you are attending the New Year’s Eve celebrations in the City, visit the ACT Government’s events website to plan your night; www.events.act.gov.au

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Driving home after, I encountered ZERO police. I did wonder, in what other city?

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