Police shift itinerants out of race precinct after man wanders into traffic

Tramps get V8s red light

samantha. ITINERANTS have been moved on from parks close to the Townsville 400 V8 Supercars track ahead of an influx of visitors next week.

The itinerants, who move from park to park, have been moved on from several locations close to the precinct for their own safety.

It comes after police gave a group of people a move- on di- rection from Dean Park on Thursday night. A man, reportedly drunk and affected by drugs, was taken to hospital after wandering from the park and into traffic.

Police said the man was taken into custody for outstanding warrants after being medically assessed.

It is understood he was struck by a car but only sustained minor injuries.

Townsville officer- incharge Acting Senior Sergeant Craig Robertson said police were aware of the “camping trends” of local itinerants.

He said police knew most of the itinerants and tried to work with them to ensure their own safety and that of the public.

“The reality is it is a complex issue,” he said. “It is often a really sad cycle of alcoholism and itinerant movements.

“We will attend to them if the public raises concerns and try to drunk divert them ( to diversionary centres) but it is a hard cycle to break.”

Sen- Sgt Robertson said additional police would be brought in to the city to help manage event.

“We will have a police response if there are any issues in the public parks,” he said.

“Police also have patrols for itinerant and public order offences and they have a good rapport with known itinerants.

“We have pre- planned the response to itinerants in parks within the race precinct, and they have been moved on.

“That is for their own safety as much as anything else as there will obviously be more vehicle movements.”

Earlier this year, police fig-

the

Supercars ures showed that 161 people had been recorded as staying in 12 local parks. It prompted police to join with care agencies to try and tackle the issue.

Townsville City Council Healthy City Safe City chairman Gary Eddiehausen said security officers would also patrol known trouble spots and monitor CCTV cameras.

“We won’t be moving anyone on unless they are breaking the law,” he said.

“People can congregate in our parks as long as they aren’t drinking, fighting or doing illegal activities.’’

It is a complex issue. It is often a really sad cycle of alcoholism and itinerant movements ACTING SENIOR SERGEANT CRAIG ROBERTSON