Summernats comes early to Canberra

ACT Policing’s busy operational schedule this holiday season will step up a gear as Summernats 28 comes to town on New Year’s Day.

The four-day event begins on January 1 at Exhibition Park in Canberra, with police set to maintain a high-profile presence around the venue.

The Operational Commander for the event, Station Sergeant Donna Hofmeier, said she hoped the positive behaviour of patrons to be similar to that of last year but if not, police will respond accordingly.

“We were pleased with crowd behaviour at the 2014 Summernats street machine festival, with minimal police involvement regarding anti-social behaviour. Over the course of the event, police issued 67 Traffic Infringement Notices, and three vehicles were seized and impounded,” Sergeant Hofmeier said.

“Only one person returned a positive reading from our hundreds of random breath tests.

“As we mentioned last year, a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to stage this event and the organisers were praised for the smooth running of Summernats 27. We hope to see the same, if not better, results this year.”

ACT Policing works closely with event organisers, assisting in ensuring a safe environment for all those who attend.

“While we want an enjoyable and safe environment for all those who attend, we will not tolerate anyone breaking the law. Police will also be supporting event security staff when evictions are necessary, and will have a high-police presence at hotspots such as Lonsdale Street in Braddon, amongst other locations across the ACT,” Sergeant Hofmeier said.

The Road Safety Operations Team (RSOT) will again be conducting random roadside testing for alcohol and illicit drugs. Police intend to clamp down rigorously on any irresponsible and/or dangerous driving behaviour and have issued a reminder to all motorists that under ACT legislation, they have the power to immediately seize and impound vehicles for offences such as burnouts, menacing driving or street racing on public roadways.