3 January 2013

Police ramp up for the 'nats

3 January 2013 | By johnboy

ACT Policing will scale up its traffic enforcement activity throughout the Civic, Braddon and northern Canberra suburbs with the arrival of tens of thousands of visitors for the annual Summernats car festival over the next few days.

Police have been liaising with Summernats organisers in the lead-up to the annual event to create an effective working relationship and deliver safe outcomes for Canberrans and visitors.

Operational Commander for the event, Acting Superintendent Rod Anderson, said that working with the organisers over many years has given police a strong understanding of when and where issues are likely to occur, and how best to support the event security staff.

“We have a lengthy and established working relationship with the event organisers. We also have a police front office at EPIC and our officers will be visible and patrolling inside the event venue,” Acting Superintendent Anderson said. “We have full confidence in the event security staff to handle issues which arise but will certainly have resources on standby to assist if required.”

Patrolling in and around the Watson and Mitchell areas will be a key focus for police, with strict enforcement of the alcohol free zones in these locations and the 40km/h speed limit on the posted areas of Flemington Road near EPIC. In Watson, Stirling Avenue will also be closed between Northbourne Ave and Aspinall Street.

“We support Summernats and want to see everyone have a great time, but we won’t condone anti-social behaviour and flagrant breaches of the law,” Acting Superintendent Anderson said.

[Courtesy ACT Policing]

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DrKoresh9:30 pm 05 Jan 13

The headline is misleading! I was all excited to see the police doing jumps off ramps at Summer’s, but that’s not the case. That’s not the case at all 🙁

tommo7:32 pm 05 Jan 13

PJCanberra said :

doing in excess of the 60km regular spread limit.

That piece of toast must have stretched all the way to Yass. Would have needed a lot of jars of OzEmite too.
I do agree though, I have not noticed any real increase in police in the area. I’m sure many speeding tickets could be had if speed check vans were placed on surrounding major roads. That way the participants would leave even more money in the ACT 🙂
I also think all vehicles leaving the event should have a mandatory roadworthy check. I bet there’s a lot of bald tyres after all those burnouts as well as some vehicles exceeding the noise limit.

PJCanberra4:04 pm 05 Jan 13

Its great to hear about the cooperation between the Police and Summernat officials. Unfortunately it is not visible/ seen: As a Gungahlin resident I abide by the 40km signage when it is in place, however nobody else does – this includes buses, taxi’s and on one occasion the police. I have been high beamed, honked at and abused for doing the limit, all the while being over taken by cars doing in excess of the 60km regular spread limit.
Police presence would be of great benefit beyond the EPIC gates and Northbourne Ave; as would a Police presence on Horse park Dr and/or Anthony Rolfe AVE particularly after 8pm. The Summernats is great for Canberra, should stay for another 25yrs, maybe wider consultation with nearby residents (including Gungahlin) might help eliminate negativity towards a great event.