Key Takeaways:
- The South Australian government has given police expanded powers to search people for weapons on all public buses, trains, and trams in the Adelaide metropolitan area.
- The new powers are part of a broader effort to improve community safety, particularly during large events like New Year’s Eve celebrations.
- Police can now use handheld metal detector wands to search for weapons without needing reasonable cause in Declared Public Transport Services or Declared Public Transport Hubs.
- The expanded search powers apply to all public transport services, stations, interchanges, and Park ‘n’ Ride sites in the Adelaide metropolitan area.
- A review of the new powers will be conducted after a 12-month period to ensure they are effective and appropriate.
Introduction to Expanded Powers
The South Australian government has announced that police have been given expanded powers to search people for weapons on all public buses, trains, and trams in the Adelaide metropolitan area. This move is aimed at improving community safety, particularly during large events like New Year’s Eve celebrations. According to South Australia’s Attorney-General Kyam Maher, all Adelaide Metro public transport services, stations, interchanges, and Park ‘n’ Ride sites are now deemed Declared Public Transport Services or Declared Public Transport Hubs. This designation gives police significantly more powers to search for weapons, including the use of handheld metal detector wands without needing reasonable cause.
Background and Context
The new powers are an extension of laws passed earlier this year, which allowed SA Police to search people for weapons in Declared Public Precincts and order a person posing a risk to public safety to leave the area for 24 hours. The laws were introduced in response to concerns about public safety, particularly in areas with high foot traffic. Earlier this year, 11 shopping centers were declared public precincts, and the Adelaide Oval and the Adelaide Railway Station were added to the list before the third Ashes Test. The expanded search powers are seen as a necessary measure to prevent violent incidents and ensure public safety.
Implementation and Effectiveness
SA Police Assistant Commissioner Narelle Kameniar welcomed the expanded powers, stating that they would help to prevent violent incidents and ensure public safety. Since the powers came into effect, officers have conducted over 4,000 searches and found 18 weapons, including knives, knuckledusters, and other items. Assistant Commissioner Kameniar noted that a review would be conducted after a 12-month period to ensure that the laws are appropriate and effective. The review will assess the impact of the expanded powers on community safety and determine whether any adjustments are needed.
Police Presence and Community Safety
The expanded powers are part of a broader effort to improve community safety, particularly during large events like New Year’s Eve celebrations. Assistant Commissioner Kameniar said that police would have a visible presence on New Year’s Eve, with a massive operation planned to ensure public safety. The police presence will include officers on foot, as well as the use of handheld metal detector wands to search for weapons. The goal is to prevent violent incidents and ensure that people can enjoy the celebrations without fear of harm.
Reaction and Response
Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn expressed support for the expanded powers, stating that anything that improves community safety is a good thing. However, she noted that she had not seen details about the latest additions to the declared public precincts. The opposition has also emphasized the need to recruit more police and increase their presence in communities to improve safety. The government’s efforts to improve community safety have been welcomed by many, but some have raised concerns about the potential impact on civil liberties.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the expanded powers given to police to search people for weapons on public transport in Adelaide are a significant step towards improving community safety. The new powers are part of a broader effort to prevent violent incidents and ensure public safety, particularly during large events. While some have raised concerns about the potential impact on civil liberties, the government and police are committed to ensuring that the powers are used responsibly and effectively. A review of the new powers will be conducted after a 12-month period to ensure that they are effective and appropriate, and to make any necessary adjustments.