Innisfail a hotspot for rule breakers

A LARGE party and a park drinking session have been the source of half of the COVID-19 fines issued by police around the Far North during the long weekend.

A man who allegedly hosted a party involving up to 20 people in a suburban Innisfail house was one of 10 people charged in the region, along with five people accused of boozing in an Innisfail park.

A total of 10 tickets were issued in the Far North over the three days as virus restrictions eased, bringing the region’s total to 127 since the COVID-19 operation began.

Of that Innisfail has recorded the most with 11.

Far North police Acting Supt Mark Lingwood said police arrived at the party on May 3 and the group of about 20 people who had been at the property fled, leaving the host who received the fine.

“Whilst the majority of people were doing the right thing, there were a few that required reminders,” he said.

“Innisfail was a hotspot for us after a house party involving approximately 15-20 young people saw the party attendees run off into the bush, whilst the party organiser was issued with an infringement notice.”

Five people were hit with the $1334 fine for breaching social distancing in Anzac Park for a group drinking session on May 4, with police forced to fine two members of the group again later that day after they were found in the park again.

It is understood the group were itinerants and had been drinking together.

But Acting Insp Lingwood praised the behaviour of most Far North residents during the long weekend with police seeing below average crowds at popular spots including Lake Tinaroo. “We didn’t have as many people as expected out and about,” he said.

He said police would continue their increased patrols at popular sites including beaches and waterholes this weekend.