Since the last review period, police have charged two people and issued 19 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for breaches of the Public Health Act.
About 7am on Friday (8 January 2021), officers attached to North/Central Police Transport Command were patrolling Central Railway Station when they stopped and spoke to a 55-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. The man told officers he believed COVID-19 was a hoax and refused to put on a mask or leave the location.
He was arrested and taken to Sydney City Police Station where he was charged with not wear fitted face covering public transport waiting area. The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday 3 February 2021.
About 5.30pm yesterday (Sunday 10 January 2021, officers from Campbelltown Police Transport Command PTC were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station about spoke to the same man, aged 55, who was not wearing a mask, again claiming COVID-19 was a hoax.
He was arrested and charged with not wear fitted face covering in public transport/taxi and breach of bail. He was bail refused to appear at Campbelltown Local Court today (Monday 11 January 2020).
Further, details of the PINS issued include:
- About 1:45pm on Friday (8 January 2021), officers from the Police Transport Command were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station when they saw two men, aged 28 and 65 not wearing masks. When officers requested the younger man put on a mask, he became argumentative and claimed the public health order was a human rights violation. When police directed the older man to wear a mask, the man became aggressive towards the officers and refused to comply. Both were issued a $200 PIN.
- About 7:15pm on Friday, officers from Fairfield City Police Area Command arrested a 16-year-old boy over an alleged assault at a Wetherill Park shopping centre on Tuesday (5 January 2021). Inquiries revealed, the teen was not wearing a mask at the time of the alleged offence and he was charged with affray and assault offences, as well as not comply with noticed direction re s7/8/9 - COVID-19
- About 8:50pm on Friday, officers from Police Transport Command observed a 63-year-old woman not wearing a mask at Epping Railway Station. When questioned, the woman became argumentative with police and refused to identify herself. The woman was arrested for the purposes of identification and was found to have had prior warnings for not wearing a mask. She was issued a $200 PIN.
- About 11am on Saturday (9 January 2020), officers from Northern Beaches Police Area Command were patrolling a shopping centre at Dee Why, when they were alerted that a man was not wearing a mask. Police spoke to the man about his obligation to wear a mask, but he refused. The 30-year-old man was issued a $200 PIN.
- About 3.30pm on Saturday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Town Hall Railway Station when they stopped a 51-year-old man not wearing a mask. Police spoke to the man who refused to comply with the direction, he was issued a $200 PIN.
- About 9.15pm on Saturday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Gosford Railway Station when they stopped and spoke to a 48-year-old man not wearing a mask. The man refused to put on a mask and attempted to run from police. He was stopped a short time later and issued a move on direction and a $200 PIN.
- About 2.45am yesterday (Sunday 10 January 2021), officers attached to Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command attended the rear of a property on Bondi Road at Bondi, and observed approximately 20 people on a balcony, with approximately 10 more inside. When they saw police, several attendees jumped over a fence and fled before their details could be obtained. Eleven were intercepted at the front door by officers and given $1000 PINs.
- About 4.30pm yesterday, officers from Police Transport Command were patrolling Parramatta Railway Station and saw a 46-year-old man who was not wearing a mask. When questioned, the man said he wasn't going to wear a mask as it wouldn't affect anyone. Further inquiries revealed he had been issued four prior warnings for not wearing a fitted face covering. He was issued a $200 PIN.
- Just before 5pm yesterday, officers from Central Police Transport Command were patrolling Kings Cross Railway Station when they spoke to a 38-year-old man, not wearing a mask. He was issued a warning before leaving and returning shortly after, wearing a mask. The man was seen on the platform not wearing the mask correctly fitted and was issued a $200 PIN.
- About 5.30pm yesterday, officers from Campbelltown Police Transport Command PTC were patrolling Campbelltown Railway Station and spoke to a teenager who was not wearing masks. The teen was issued a $200 PIN and an infringement for fare evasion.
- About 11pm yesterday, PTC officers were conducting patrols at Parramatta Railway Station when they approached an 18-year-old man, who was not wearing a mask. He refused to comply with police direction to obtain and wear a face covering in accordance with the legislation and was issued a $200 PIN.
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
