Key Takeaways
- Tairāwhiti police oversaw over 20,000 festival goers at Rhythm and Vines and made multiple arrests and issued infringement notices
- Four people were arrested for supplying drugs, breaches of bail, possession of an offensive weapon, and behaving threateningly
- Police breath tested approximately 12,000 drivers, with 25 found to be in breach of the rules
- The Police Eagle helicopter was deployed to Gisborne to provide aerial support and rapid response
- Police successfully thwarted plans for a large gathering linked to anti-social road behaviour and issued multiple infringement notices
Introduction to the New Year Operation
The Tairāwhiti police have concluded their New Year operation, which involved overseeing a large crowd of festival goers at Rhythm and Vines in Gisborne. The operation was a significant undertaking, with over 20,000 people attending the festival. Area commander Danny Kirk reported that the past few days had been particularly busy, with police working to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees. While the majority of festival goers were well-behaved, there were some incidents that required police attention.
Arrests and Infringement Notices
During the operation, police made several arrests and issued infringement notices. Four people were arrested for various offenses, including supplying drugs, breaches of bail, possession of an offensive weapon, and behaving threateningly. In addition, one person was arrested in Mahia on New Year’s Eve for breaching bail conditions. These arrests demonstrate the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring that those who break the law are held accountable. The police also issued multiple infringement notices for various offenses, including driving-related offenses.
Road Safety and Enforcement
Road safety was a major focus of the police operation, with approximately 12,000 drivers breath tested over the course of the festival. Unfortunately, 25 drivers were found to be in breach of the rules, highlighting the importance of responsible driving and the need for continued enforcement. The police also deployed the Eagle helicopter to provide aerial support and rapid response across the region. This allowed them to quickly respond to any incidents and maintain a visible presence on the roads. The helicopter was particularly useful in monitoring for anti-social road behavior, which can be a significant problem during large events like Rhythm and Vines.
Thwarting Anti-Social Behavior
One of the key successes of the police operation was the thwarting of plans for a large gathering linked to anti-social road behavior. This type of behavior can be dangerous and disruptive, and the police worked hard to prevent it from occurring. According to Area commander Danny Kirk, the plans for the gathering were "successfully thwarted" by police, and there were no significant issues arising from anti-social road users. However, one person was arrested for breach of bail, and multiple infringement notices were issued for various offenses. The police also issued a non-operation order to one vehicle and impounded two others, demonstrating their commitment to taking a tough stance on anti-social behavior.
Ongoing Police Presence
The police will continue to maintain an increased presence across the region, particularly in holiday hotspots. This is an important step in ensuring that the community remains safe and secure, and that those who break the law are held accountable. Area commander Danny Kirk emphasized the importance of ongoing enforcement, stating that police will continue to work hard to prevent anti-social behavior and maintain law and order. The police will also continue to work with the community to build trust and prevent crime, and to provide support and resources to those who need them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tairāwhiti police’s New Year operation was a success, with multiple arrests and infringement notices issued. The police worked hard to maintain law and order, and to prevent anti-social behavior. The deployment of the Eagle helicopter and the breath testing of over 12,000 drivers demonstrate the police’s commitment to road safety and enforcement. The police will continue to maintain an increased presence across the region, and will work with the community to build trust and prevent crime. Overall, the operation was a significant undertaking, and the police should be commended for their hard work and dedication to keeping the community safe.