A week into the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign in Shoalhaven Local Area Command (LAC), police and 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 launch of the Shoalhaven campaign last Monday (30 May 2016), local officers have been out in the community distributing information and educating the public on how they can support the campaign.
They’ve circulated brochures and spoken with members of the public across a number of areas including Sanctuary Point, Vincentia, Nowra and Sussex Inlet.
Officers established information stalls in Nowra’s shopping strips and popular CBD precincts to show people how they can get involved as ‘Dob in a Dealer’ continues.
Shoalhaven Local Area Commander, Superintendent Stephen Hegarty, urged the community to get behind the campaign and help stem the supply of prohibited drugs in their neighbourhoods.
"Never underestimate the immensely positive impact you can make through a simple call to Crime Stoppers. What you know could very well be the key to shutting down a drug house," Supt Hegarty said.
"Once again our officers will be out in the community this week – visiting Shoalhaven Heads, Culburra Beach, Callala Bay, Bomaderry and Ulladulla to share information – so please stop and have a chat to learn more about the campaign.
"I also urge everyone to familiarise yourself with the seven signs of a drug house – strange odours, diverted electricity, chemical waste, blacked-out windows, hoses and pipes in strange place, blinds down with bright indoor lighting and cars arriving at odd hours," Supt Hegarty said.
"If any homes in your neighbourhood raise suspicions please come forward. We can’t be on every street corner but we can work together to make our community a safer place."
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 Shoalhaven LAC 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.
‘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
11 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.
