A 14th person has been issued with a $1000 fine after further investigations into a gathering at a home in Shellharbour at the weekend.
Officers from Lake Illawarra Police District attended the home about 9.40pm Saturday (3 July 2021), responding to reports of visitors at the location. One woman and 12 men, aged between 21 and 30, were issued with Penalty infringement Notices (PINs) for breaching stay at home directions.
Following inquiries, another 30-year-old man was identified today (Monday 5 July 2021), as being at the home; he has now been issued with a $1000 PIN for breaching a stay at home direction.
Police are concerned the community doesn't become complacent about complying with Public Health Act guidelines, as residents of Greater Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast enter their second week under a stay at home direction.
Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said he wanted to thank the overwhelming majority of people who are complying with the PHO directions.
"I'd like to thank everyone who is doing the right thing and complying with the directions; these people are aware of the risks and are demonstrating they care for their community and are making the job of police easier," he said.
With 125 PINs issued in the past 24 hours across the designated area, police are finding many of the fines are being issued to groups of people gathering in breach of the current Public Health Order.
Complaints from members of the public have led to 10 men being issued with PINs of $1000 each after they were found gathered in a home in Fairfield Heights at the weekend.
About 11.45pm on Saturday 3 July 2021, officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command were called to a unit at The Boulevarde, Fairfield Heights, where police found 10 men – who were not residents – inside.
They have each been issued a $1000 PIN for fail to comply with PHO and given a direction by police to return to their homes immediately.
Complaints from the public have also resulted in two men again being arrested at a fruit store in Mascot about 6.30pm yesterday (Sunday 4 July 2021). Officers from South Sydney Police Area Command charged the owner with 'not wear fitted face covering in retail business' and 'not ensure hospitality worker wear fitted face mask.' The employee was charged with 'not wear fitted face covering in retail business.' Both men were granted conditional bail and will appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Monday 19 July 2021
Officers from Raymond Terrace Highway Patrol stopped a sedan on Adelaide Street at Raymond Terrace about 6.40pm yesterday, and spoke with the occupants. The men, aged 24 and 26 from Liverpool, were issued a $1000 PIN for breaching the stay at home direction, and failing to wear a face covering. The driver was also issued a number of penalty notices for defects to his vehicle. Both men were given a direction by police to return to their homes immediately.
On Day 10 of the stay at home direction, the Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott reminds the community to abide by the health orders.
"It is disappointing to see so many people ignoring the rules and putting the health of our community at risk," Mr Elliott said.
"We must not get complacent with the health orders and must continue to work to stop the spread of this virus."
In total, 125 PINs were issued yesterday and of those 45 were $200 infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.
Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
