Police from Coffs Clarence Local Area Command (LAC) have thanked the community for their ongoing support during the recent ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign, NSW Police say.
The Commonwealth-funded campaign is currently being conducted in States and Territories across Australia.
While members of the public are urged to report any prohibited-drug activity via Crime Stoppers; ‘Dob in a Dealer’ is targeting the manufacture, supply and use of ‘ice’ (crystal methylamphetamine) in the community.
‘Dob in a Dealer’ was promoted across Coffs Clarence Local Area Command between Monday 4 July 2016 and Sunday 17 July 2016.
Police and Crime Stoppers conducted intensive community-engagement activities at locations across the command, encouraging members of the public to report information about prohibited drugs.
Over the course of the campaign and in the weeks that followed, Crime Stoppers received a number of Information Reports from the community relating to possible drug activity in the local area.
Coffs Clarence Local Area Commander, Superintendent Mark Holahan, thanked the community for getting behind the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.
"In the weeks since the campaign concluded we have received more than 30 Information Reports via Crime Stoppers about suspected drug activity across our region, all of which will now undergo further investigation," Supt Holahan said.
"We know that a whole-of-community approach is required to tackle the spread of ‘ice,’ so it was positive to see the calls coming in with valuable information.
"I’d like to urge people to keep the calls coming in – ‘ice’ is known to ravage people’s lives and what you know could be crucial to not only shutting down a drug house, but also helping someone already affected," Supt Holahan.
"We’ve seen time and time again the devastating impact ‘ice’ has on people’s livelihoods, relationships and local communities. But don’t forget help is available and it’s never too late to make that change.
"The health and wellbeing of their customers is of no concern to those who manufacture and distribute ‘ice’. For them, it’s all about the bottom line, which is why you can never be sure what you’re consuming," Supt Holahan said.
"We also know that ‘ice’ does not discriminate – it can harm those from disadvantaged and affluent backgrounds alike, and its reach spans the entire geography of this state.
"Do not underestimate the important role you can play in helping us track down and arrest those involved in manufacturing and distributing ‘ice’ across our neighbourhoods – your phone call could make an enormous difference."
Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said people who live and work within Coffs Clarence Local Area Command can still report information confidentially and anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
"While the campaign has come to a close in Coffs Clarence LAC, the issue of illegal drugs has not – and we urge the community to continue reporting drug-dealing or drug-manufacturing activity to Crime Stoppers," Mr Price said.
"We're calling on members of the public to step up and stamp out 'ice' in their community – together we can affect real change.
"Calls made to Crime Stoppers are directed to a state-wide call centre and they’re completely confidential. You do not have to identify yourself and you will not be compelled to participate for a court case," Mr Price said.
"Most importantly, every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce drug supply – so if you know something, say something."
In NSW, the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign is being held in 21 metropolitan and regional local area commands over a six-month period between March and September 2016.
The campaign runs in each command for two weeks, during which local officers and Crime Stoppers representatives host a number of activities to inform local residents of how they can take part and show their support.
Please find below a schedule of the Local Area Commands involved in the campaign, including their proposed start dates. This schedule is subject to change.
‘Dob in a Dealer’ Community Engagement Calendar
14 March 2016: Redfern
21 March 2016: Orana
28 March 2016: Sydney City
11 April 2016: Castlereagh
11 April 2016: Liverpool
26 April 2016: Campbelltown
2 May 2016: Barwon
9 May 2016: Wollongong
23 May 2016: Richmond
30 May 2016: Shoalhaven
13 June2016: Tweed/Byron
20 June 2016: The Hume
4 July 2016: Coffs/Clarence
13 July 2016: Albury
18 July 2016: Mid North Coast
1 August2016: Wagga Wagga
8 August 2016: Oxley
22 August 2016: Griffith
29 August 2016: Newcastle City
12 September 2016: Canobolas
19 September 2016: Blacktown
Crime Stoppers is focused on gathering information to stop the supply and manufacture of drugs. If you or someone you know is affected by drug use or addiction, please contact support services such as the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on (02) 9361 8000.
