COPS WARN NUDIE RUN Police not happy as 1000 sign up for Geelong dash
POLICE are warning people not to join a ‘mass nudie run’ being promoted as an alternative to scrapped fundraiser Run Geelong.
More than 1000 people have said they are going to the event, and 3600 are interested in attending, but people could face jail time if they expose themselves in public.
Even though the event was posted by satirical Facebook group Take the P--- Geelong, there are concerns that it may develop into an actual event.
The popular Facebook group is run by four males from the Geelong area.
The run is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, December 8, at Ritchie Boulevard on Geelong’s waterfront.
“With ‘Run Geelong’ being cancelled this year we thought we’d create our own run,” the Facebook event description reads.
“The very first ‘Mass NUDIE RUN’ in Geelong! Who’s in? Let’s fill Ritchie Boulevard with nude people!”
Acting Superintendent Graham Banks urged people not to get involved.
“It is not condoned in any way, shape, or form,” Acting Superintendent Banks told the Geelong Advertiser.
“The police view is that it shouldn’t be occurring … clear and simple. I’d request people not to participate in this.”
A Victoria Police spokesman said people who exposed themselves in a public place could be charged with wilful and obscene exposure.
Criminal lawyer Scott Belcher said prosecutions would hinge on complaints being made by the public.
“Exposing your sexual parts needs to be put in context, and against community standards or expectations,” Mr Belcher said. “This type of case very much depends on offended civilian witnesses.”
Mr Belcher said people charged could face up to two months in jail or fines of more than $1500 if found guilty for a first offence.
Take the P--- Geelong page administrators yesterday said they had not been contacted by police.
Charity event Run Geelong was cancelled this year due to unsustainable costs.
The Cotton Group has held the event for the past nine years, growing it from 2500 participants in 2009 to more than 13,000 at its peak in 2015.
Cotton On said the event cost “considerably more” to hold than it raised.
The November 2017 edition of Run Geelong saw more than 10,000 take to the streets, raising more than $340,000 for Barwon Health.
The ‘mass nudie run’ does not propose to raise money for charity, but Take the P--- Geelong wrote on its Facebook page it “could be a great way to meet new friends!”
“I will shut the whole thing down if it turns into a sausage fest … For everyone’s sake!”