Zero ‘bozo’ tolerance
Extra police to target tram trouble makers
MISBEHAVING tram passengers have been put on notice – if you act like a ‘bozo’, you’ll end up in the watch house.
That was the message from Gold Coast police yesterday as they revealed extra officers have been deployed across the northern light rail network in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.
An additional 35 officers will be patrolling trams between the Gold Coast University Hospital and Helensvale stations, with up to six on any tram at any given time.
Officers were briefed at Helensvale station yesterday before boarding trams.
Acting Inspector Andrew Frick Frick said police will be targeting property-related crime and anti-social behaviour in and around trams and stations.
“The objective of the operation is to address criminal offences and anti-social behaviour being committed,” he said. “The Gold Coast is generally a very well behaved community and there isn’t an epidemic of people causing trouble on trams but if you’re going to act like a bozo then expect to be taken to the watch house.
“Members of the community deserve to be able to travel and go about their business in safe environment and we are committed to providing that to them.”
Mr Frick said while there been no spike it was important to give confidence to the community.
“We’ve been running operations for the past two years since the light rail came to existence. Now it’s extended into the heavy rail we would also like to extend our own operations.
“We’re using plain clothes police officers as well going into the Commonwealth Games. It’s important the community behaves to its best especially in the lead up to the Games.”
Tram offenders can slapped with a $250 fine. be