9 Found Guilty Of New Year’s Eve InfringementsMayor very pleased with community response on enforcement of local laws during New Years Eve By Carol McCormack - 25th June 2002 - Back to News A magistrate found nine defendants guilty of drinking in a public place at Cowes on New Years Eve during a court session at Wonthaggi Magistrates Court on Friday 21 June.
All 9 were ordered to pay their original fine of $100 as well as a further $290 in costs.
Kaye Hall, Council’s Senior Local Laws Officer, said that she was pleased with the outcome.
"While many offenders did pay their fines, others did not pay or disputed the fine," said Kaye. "This is the second time this year that we have taken offenders to court to pay fines from New Years Eve."
Kaye said that Police and Council officers worked together on New Years Eve to enforce local laws. During New Years Eve 2001, people were fined for breaching a variety of local laws including drinking in public places, illegal camping and illegally lighting fires.
"Our goal is to educate people about local laws, which are there for the safety of the general public," said Kaye. "However, if they do breach local laws they will be fined.
Cr John Gains, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council, said that he was very pleased with the response from the community in regard to enforcement of local laws during New Years Eve.
"We’ve had a lot of positive feedback about the presence of local law officers throughout the Shire," said Cr Gains. "We will continue to work proactively with the community in ensuring their safety through enforcing local laws."
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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