Police Coming To The Party
Newcastle Herald
Friday December 24, 1999
POLICE are gearing up for one of the largest operations in the history of the Hunter on New Year's Eve.
Plans were unveiled yesterday that will see all leave cancelled to ensure every available officer is on duty.
Highway patrol vehicles will be out in force and random breath test (RBT) stations set up throughout the region.
Newcastle Local Area Commander Superintendent Sam Findley warned yesterday that police presence would be at its strongest.
More than 150,000 people are expected to gather in the CBD for the fireworks and 160 police officers will be on hand to ensure things do not get out of hand.
They will be helped by numerous security firms employed by licensed premises throughout the inner-city.
At a special press conference yesterday Supt Findley said officers had been urged to show goodwill over the holiday period, but would not put up with anti-social behaviour.
He warned motorists against drink-driving, with RBTs set up throughout the city.
`People should not drink to excess or engage in anti-social behaviour,' he said.
Motorists have been warned against driving into Newcastle as roads will be closed and parking limited.
Trains will leave Newcastle every 30 minutes and a special New Year's Eve bus and ferry timetable has been produced.
Alcohol-free areas will be in place at The Foreshore. People caught with alcohol in these areas will face an on-the-spot $110 fine.
ROAD CLOSURES:
* Wharf Rd between Argyle St and Watt St, closed from 6am New Year's Eve until 6am the next day.
* Wharf Rd between Watt St and Nobbys Rd and Watt St between Scott St and Wharf Rd, closed from noon on New Year's Eve.
* Zarra St to be closed from 3pm New Year's Eve.
* Moroney Ave between Scott St and Shortland Esplanade and Ocean St between Pacific St and Shortland Esplanade closed from 3pm New Year's Eve.
* Watt and Church streets closed from 3pm New Year's Eve.
© 1999 Newcastle Herald