Police praise parade spectators
Police arrested 28 people for incidents during and after this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade that drew an estimated 300,000 spectators last night.
Police praised parade spectators for their generally good behaviour, but were still concerned about glass being brought into the precinct.
Assistant Commissioner Catherine Burn said the majority of spectators enjoyed the atmosphere of the parade, and this could partly be attributed to the alcohol-free zone being in place in Oxford Street.
Most people came along to have a good time, and the large crowd in Oxford Street certainly did,” she said.
While the spectators and participants enjoyed a relatively incident-free night along the parade route, there were a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related crime that occurred in Hyde Park and the surrounding area during and after the parade.
There appeared to be an increase of bottles and glass containers throughout Hyde Park.
It’s a concern because it significantly increases the risk of injury to revellers and participants.
Most of the 28 arrests were in the Hyde Park area.
Some of the offences include assault, indecent assault, offensive behaviour, offensive language, assault police, resist arrest, robbery and malicious wounding. Â Police were also forced to break up a number of brawls in the park and nearby.
In addition, a licensing operation carried out resulted in a range of infringement notices being issued.
These include; 10 licensing breaches against three establishments, four security related breaches, six offences of supplying minors with alcohol, and 17 minors possessing or consuming alcohol, 74 vehicles were towed from Special Event Clearways.
All people were dispersed from Hyde Park by police just after 12.30am to prevent further incidents occurring.
The police operation comprised more than 800 police including general duties officers and specialist units including the highway patrol, Mounted Police, Public Order and Riot Squad and Polair.
Assistant Commissioner Burn said while the parade itself is a major operation, the clean up and removal of barriers is just as significant.
We need to be able to move everyone out of the area so the Sydney CBD can be cleaned and back to normal as soon as possible, she said.
The NSW Police Force had a contingent of officers who marched in the parade -” a regular audience favourite.
Have your say: What was your experience like? Which float were you most excited by?
See this is the problem with Gay Sydney – All efforts to do something “humane” is always constantly criticised and battled (Mac + Oliver’s comments to Sue), Mac, how do you know if Sue has or hasn’t reported it??, its good thing that she did comment it on here to make people more aware.
Oliver – there is no point in commenting on you – I see your pointless rantings on here all the time, the oxygen you breath to keep yourself alive is simply a WASTE ol chap.
Sue, why didnt you just take the photos? One click of the phone camera!! Thats the difference between now and 1978, the use of Quick snaps. Remember that for next time Sue.
Well, Sue, if that’s what you and your five friends saw, why don’t you report it, instead of just bleating about it on here? And how does one “attempt” to take photos? It certainly sounds as though it was protracted enough for even the most technologically challenged person to get their phone or camera out record the moment.
I was witness to the police at the drugs van bashing into a young guy with great vigour, it was pretty incredible to be a 78er and see this – they were also forcing young men to remove clothing in full view of everyone in the street, the bashing was furious and several were involved.
It was of course completely unnecessary and was mostly plain clothed cops and one uniform. A group of about six of us saw it. We yelled at them and attempted to take photos.
It happened fast and much of it on the ground at one of the alcoves in entrance to old agricultural building.
Well 1978 sure ain’t too far away…………..
It’s rare to hear of reports of arrests amongst spectators or participants of the Mardi Gras parade, the problems usually happen afterwards.
Unfortunately 2 people I know were arrested at Mardi Gras.
One for possession and another for drink driving.
I have symapthy for both of them, however there have been countless advertisements and news stories advising against both.
If tradition counts for anything it won’t be long before the gay press and countless readers jump on the anti sniffer dog bandwagon, however I doubt we’ll see the same in regards to Random Breath Tests.
To me they are both the same, both are police methods for catching people breaking the law. Both ran the risk of hurting themselves and others. Both will have to attend a local court.
The only real difference is that alcohol is legal, as is driving, the problems start when you combine the two.
I’m also surprised anyone could afford to get drunk at the prices being charged for drinks.
Perhaps next year we can have the Living Clean and Sober float lead the parade and everyone can have a cup of tea afterwards.
Oh and another thing, the pre entertainment/merchandise was really good this year (the best its ever been I think) – I got there at 4 – with the entertainment being so nicely spaced out, I didnt feel like I was waiting for the parade for 5 hours! lol
The parade was fantastic! it was great to see the politics back in the parade – although it was surprising that the floats that where from gay community groups did not receive much applause, I guess I was around too many straight people that just didn’t “get it” and where only there for the freak show.
However I am appalled by how New Mardi Gras treated its volunteers this year – so hostile and un organised, alas, whenever someone on here posts something negative against NMG its always met with some lame sarcastic bitchy remarks with no real explination/reasoning [ insert here].
Cheers!
Most people are still partying – or at least coming down! look out for eccy Tuesday today!
No comments yet about Mardi Gras? I’m shocked and appalled. I can’t really comment because I didn’t go but apparently the people in the Clean and Sober float had a great time (certainly better than those who had to be attended to by paramedics – aren’t drugs fun?!).
I believe hideous prices confronted the punters at every turn but that’s par for the course. But otherwise it seemed that lots of people, including younger gays, had a good time.