Police ready for Skyfire

ACT Policing is preparing for this weekend’s Skyfire event with police resources being deployed on both sides of the lake to ensure the family-friendly event is not marred by anti-social behaviour.

ACT Policing’s Operational Commander for the event, Acting Superintendent Steve Hogarth, said that ACT Policing is proud to be officially supporting Skyfire for a second year in a row, as one of Canberra’s biggest events of the year.

“We want people to have fun with their family and friends on Saturday, but to also act responsibly,” Acting Superintendent Hogarth said.

“There will be a visible police presence on both sides of the lake, and anyone who acts in a hostile or anti-social manner which affects the amenity of the event may be taken into custody.”

Acting Superintendent Hogarth said that while the crowd behaviour was generally good at last year’s event, there would be a continued focus on alcohol-related violence and specifically, underage drinking.

“We took 31 teenagers into protective custody for underage drinking at last year’s Skyfire, which is a concern for us. We are focusing our operational and communications efforts to prevent this from occurring again.

“Additional police will be patrolling the Skyfire precinct and a temporary ‘youth reception area’ will be set up.

“Underage drinkers will be taken into custody and lodged at the reception area, followed by an attempt to either locate or contact their parents/guardians in the first instance.”

Members of ACT Policing will also be conducting on-the-ground activities promoting an anti-binge drinking night, with glow sticks and bottles of water available for the public.

The ACT Policing anti-binge drinking campaign ‘drink too much, and you’re a galah’ will also launch in support of Skyfire.

Police are also encouraging event-goers to plan their night and to be patient travelling to and from the event.

“There will be road closures in place and there will be a significant increase in traffic related to the event,” Acting Superintendent Hogarth said.

“If you plan to drink, don’t drive. It’s been almost 12 months since the ACT has recorded a death on its roads and we want to keep it that way.”

Road closures will be in place on Saturday 17 March. For more information follow the ACT Policing Traffic twitter account at ACTPol_Traffic or on the ACT Policing website at www.police.act.gov.au.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]