Pubdate: Tue, 08 May 2012
Source: Northern Star (Australia)
Copyright: 2012 APN News & Media Ltd
Contact: http://www.northernstar.com.au/contact/feedback/
Website: http://www.northernstar.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5149
Author: Sue Gardiner

ORGANISERS AND POLICE IN HARMONY

POLICE caught more than 100 people with drugs including cannabis leaf 
and cannabis cookies during the 20th annual MardiGrass at Nimbin on 
the weekend.

Ninety-three people were issued with cannabis cautions, while 14 were 
charged with drug and traffic offences.

More than 500 random breath tests were done, with three drivers 
arrested for drink driving and seven detected driving under the 
influence of drugs.

Inspector Mick Smith from the Richmond Local Area Command said while 
crowd numbers were down, behaviour was an improvement on previous years.

Inspector Smith said this was due to successful liaising between 
police, organisers and Lismore City Council.

Organiser Michael Balderstone said good attendance figures, helped by 
the balmy weather, meant they were likely to cover the estimated 
$40,000 cost of the event for the first time in several years.

"So many people from around Australia and overseas come. It's a huge 
drawcard so it's important that we make it work," he said.

A team of volunteers, including overseas backpackers, spent yesterday 
cleaning the streets and tearing down crowd barriers.

Mr Balderstone said the most noteworthy aspect this year was the new 
level of trust and respect that had been in evidence between police 
and organisers. He said police had been less aggressive and had 
cautioned attendees in situations that in previous years they would 
have made arrests.

"If they give a bit of respect they get it back tenfold and this year 
they did show respect," he said.

"It was smart policing."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart