As the cross-border ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign continues this week Albury and Wodonga Police, together with Crime Stoppers, are urging residents to show their support in stamping out the spread of illicit drugs, NSW Police say.
The Commonwealth-funded campaign is currently taking place within States and Territories across Australia.
In NSW, the campaign is being held in 21 metropolitan and regional LACs over a six-month period between March and September 2016.
It will run in each LAC for two weeks, during which local residents will be urged to help police shut down drug-manufacturing syndicates and arrest drug suppliers by reporting relevant information to Crime Stoppers.
Since the joint launch of the Albury/Wodonga campaign last Wednesday (13 July 2016), local officers have been out in the community distributing information and educating the public on how they can support the campaign.
Albury Local Area Commander, Acting Superintendent Evan Quarmby, urged the community to get behind the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign as it continues this week.
"Our officers will continue their work this week in sharing information with members of the community about how they can support this important campaign," A/Supt Quarmby said.
"We are focused on targeting the manufacturers and suppliers of ‘ice’ who continue to distribute dangerous drugs across our community. I therefore urge members of the public to familiarise themselves with the seven signs of a drug house.
"These include strange odours, diverted electricity, chemical containers and waste, blacked-out windows, hoses and pipes in strange places, extremely bright indoor lighting and vehicles arriving at odd hours," A/Supt Quarmby said.
"Not only do these clan labs produce substances that cause severe harm to users, they are highly combustible, pollutant-riddled properties that pose a direct threat to the community around them.
"Never underestimate the positive contribution you can make through a simple call to Crime Stoppers. If any properties in your neighbourhood raise suspicion please come forward," A/Supt Quarmby said.
Wodonga Acting Local Area Commander, Acting Inspector Kathryn Chamberlain, said police are committed to working with Crime Stoppers and the community in the fight against illicit drugs.
"Last year we saw a significant increase in drug-related information reports throughout Wodonga’s two-week Dob in a Dealer campaign, helping us to identify those guilty of supplying illicit drugs to our community, and bringing them to justice," A/Insp Chamberlain said.
"It’s quick, it’s simple and it’s confidential. Please continue to support us to create a safer, drug-free border community by reporting what you know to Crime Stoppers.
"We take a zero-tolerance approach to the manufacture and supply of any drugs into our community," A/Insp Chamberlain said.
"Illicit drug use and drug-related crime continues to have a significant impact on communities in metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria."
Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said drugs can have devastating consequences for the whole community, and putting a stop to the flow of drugs requires a whole-of-community response.
"Local residents often hold the key to information that can help reduce crime, and we are asking people who live within Albury or Wodonga LACs to play an active role and report those people that are bringing harmful drugs into the area," Mr Price said.
"If you have already reported something to Crime Stoppers, we thank you; if you have not and know something, we ask that you let us know immediately.
"By making that one anonymous phone call or online report, you could save not only your community from drugs, but also someone’s life," Mr Price said.
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.
