Police from Wollongong Local Area Command 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 Wollongong Local Area Command between Monday 9 May 2016 and Sunday 22 May 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.
During the two weeks of the campaign, Crime Stoppers received a number of community information reports relating to possible drug activity within the Wollongong area.
Wollongong Local Area Commander, Superintendent Joe Cassar, thanked the community for getting behind the ‘Dob in a Dealer’ campaign.
"Over the course of the campaign we had 18 Information Reports to Crime Stoppers about suspected drug activity in our community, all of which will now be followed up further by our investigators," Supt Cassar said.
"It was tremendous to see a positive response from members of the public and I thank each and every one of you for coming forward and helping us stem the spread of these dangerous substances.
"Our officers were out and about throughout the campaign, speaking with local residents and sharing information on the campaign and how people could take part," Supt Cassar said.
"While the support has been fantastic, I urge people in the community to keep the calls coming in and we will continue to seek out those manufacturing and distributing ‘ice’ in our neighbourhoods," Supt Cassar said.
"The plain facts are that drug manufacturers and suppliers are a risk to us all and the role the community can play in helping us shut down drug labs cannot be overstated."
Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said people who live and work within Wollongong 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 Wollongong 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.
"Making a report to Crime Stoppers is completely confidential. You will never be identified or be compelled to participate for a court case, but every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce drug supply," Mr Price said.
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.
‘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.
