REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Monday November 21, 2005

DRINKING in public continued to plague the Schoolies Festival despite widespread awareness campaigns.

And like in previous years, it was unwanted older men known as toolies - who were the main offenders over the first weekend.

The oldest person arrested was a 52-year-old man for being drunk and disorderly.

In what was believed to be the biggest opening Saturday in years, 65 people were arrested as 30,000 revellers crowded into Cavill Avenue and Surfers Paradise beach. Only nine of the 65 arrested were schoolies.

In comparison, 12,000 people ventured out in inclement weather on the same night in 2004, with police making 58 arrests, 10 of which were registered schoolies.

Gold Coast district police superintendent Brett Pointing said the opening-night behaviour set a high precedent.

“We had huge amounts in the mall and police gave schoolies an A-plus,” he said.

“Overall, police are very happy with the behaviour of schoolies, and the general feeling in the precinct is fantastic. Parents, teachers and schoolies themselves need to give themselves a pat on the back.”

Schoolie arrests were for offences such as public nuisance, and drunk and disorderly.

Supt Pointing said drinking in public was the recurring problem, though.

There were 156 fines issued for public consumption of alcohol on the Saturday night.

“It continues to be a problem because it does take up police time,’’ he said.