NSW Police and Transport for NSW are urging people to plan ahead for the summer holidays as the Western phase of the NSW Police summer-safety campaign kicks off.
The Police said Operation Summer Safe was a high-visibility operation to increase their community engagement with the public during the summer months in regional NSW.
“Operation Summer Safe will focus on policing licensed premises, public spaces and entertainment precincts with the intention to decrease anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence, while also ensuring adherence to current Public Health Orders and increased messaging regarding safety when using our inland waterways,” the Police said.
“Police will be assisted by NSW Maritime Boating Safety Officers to ensure recreational boaters on the region’s waterways are complying with safety requirements,” they said.
Western Region Commander of the Police, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie said the police were ready for an influx of visitors to Western NSW in the coming months.
“Western Region is a playground for holiday goers and recreational hunting enthusiasts during the summer months and we know from previous years that our region’s unique attractions draw in visitors from all over the State,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.
“With that comes increased risks associated with the use of our inland waterways, hunting grounds and rural roads,” he said.
“This year the public must also ensure compliance with current Public Health Orders and for us to move through this phase of the pandemic, our communities and visitors to the region need to work with us – not against us.”
Assistant Commissioner McKechine said road safety would be a focus of Operation Summer Safe, with Traffic and Highway Patrol officers assisting police districts to target speeding, drink and drug driving, driving while fatigued and other traffic offences.
“We want people to enjoy themselves and everything that our region has to offer, but in a responsible and considerate manner,” he said.
The Police said Operation Summer Safe commenced in the Southern and Northern regions of the State in September and would continue to run until February 2021.
