Hash
New Member
South Wales - Police have been told to back off from harassing tourists and drug users at Nimbin in northern NSW.
A rally, organised by the Hemp Embassy, was held yesterday to protest against what some say is a new wave of police harassment.
Police have strengthened their presence in the town, and a special operation included searching overseas visitors on tourist buses for drugs.
Hemp spokesman Michael Balderstone says there needs to be better communication between the police and the community.
He says most police want cannabis legalised and do not want to waste time arresting people who are stoned.
"What they're doing is making no impact at all and I think everyone agrees that the police are sick of it too, they don't want to waste their time on stuff that is really [not] a criminal issue and there's plenty of other bigger troubles they've got to deal with," he said.
Police accepted an invitation to attend the rally and then decided not to go.
But Inspector Tony Crandell from the local area command (LAC) says he and other officers are keen to discuss the drug situation in Nimbin.
"Upon reflection it probably wasn't appropriate for me to attend a rally and discuss issues with Michael or the protesters there," he said.
"The police, however, are very receptive to the Nimbin community and we're quite happy to speak to any people who have concerns about the policing of that area. Our policing methods will relentlessly target drug supply whether that be in Nimbin or any other area in the LAC."
Source: abc.net
Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1290847.htm
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
A rally, organised by the Hemp Embassy, was held yesterday to protest against what some say is a new wave of police harassment.
Police have strengthened their presence in the town, and a special operation included searching overseas visitors on tourist buses for drugs.
Hemp spokesman Michael Balderstone says there needs to be better communication between the police and the community.
He says most police want cannabis legalised and do not want to waste time arresting people who are stoned.
"What they're doing is making no impact at all and I think everyone agrees that the police are sick of it too, they don't want to waste their time on stuff that is really [not] a criminal issue and there's plenty of other bigger troubles they've got to deal with," he said.
Police accepted an invitation to attend the rally and then decided not to go.
But Inspector Tony Crandell from the local area command (LAC) says he and other officers are keen to discuss the drug situation in Nimbin.
"Upon reflection it probably wasn't appropriate for me to attend a rally and discuss issues with Michael or the protesters there," he said.
"The police, however, are very receptive to the Nimbin community and we're quite happy to speak to any people who have concerns about the policing of that area. Our policing methods will relentlessly target drug supply whether that be in Nimbin or any other area in the LAC."
Source: abc.net
Link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1290847.htm
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
