Pubdate: Mon, 24 Jan 2005
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/113
Author: Kathy Mccabe, Music Writer

BIG DAY OUT FOR THE SNIFFER DOGS

BIG Day Out patrons have been warned Operation Viking will target
people in possession of drugs at tomorrow's event, posting their
sniffer drugs at Olympic Park and suburban train stations.

Officers made more than 190 drug detections when they deployed their
squad of sniffer dogs at the all-day music festival for the first time
last year at the Sydney Showgrounds.

Event organisers are disappointed Big Day Out has again been targeted
by the street crime squad, which does not have a presence at other
major outdoor music events.

Big Day Out producer Ken West has said the drug dogs' presence created
the "wrong vibe" for the festival and could potentially lead to fans
overdosing to avoid being caught.

Police and the event organisers have enjoyed a "co-operative"
relationship to ensure security and safety at the festival which
attracts more than 50,000 people.

But festival organisers fear the Operation Viking crackdown has
resulted in fans being less likely to seek officers' assistance during
the event.

"They are less likely to go up and ask for help if they need it inside
the venue because of the sniffer dogs at the stations," Mr West said.

Police will also patrol Central and suburban stations as thousands of
people make their way to Australia Day celebrations.

Veteran New York hip-hoppers Beastie Boys headline the 2005 Big Day
Out, which sold out two months ago.

Other major international acts on this year's line-up include Chemical
Brothers, Carl Cox, The Streets, Slipknot, Freestylers, System of a
Down, The Hives and The Donnas.

Homegrown heroes Powderfinger lead the Australian contingent on the
travelling music circus, with Grinspoon, Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio,
Regurgitator, Spiderbait, Little Birdy and Dallas Crane proving hugely
popular with the Gold Coast crowd last Sunday.

Mr West has quashed speculation the Big Day Out would take a year off
in 2006.

"I've given up saying this year will be the last year," he said. "I
can't work out how to stop it and we will never sell it to anyone."

Despite the presence of some heavy rock acts, the Auckland and Gold
Coast events proved to be incredibly safe.

The shows were remarkable for the amount of teenage girls who spent
the entire day in the front row.

"The audience knows what we are trying to do and if they see someone
being an idiot or in distress, they will tell the right people," Mr
West said. 
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