ICE, the scourge in our community
Police and Crime Stoppers have today launched a new, state-wide campaign, funded by the Australian Government, aimed at mobilising members of the public in the fight against the drug “ice” (crystal methylamphetamine).
The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign will be rolled out to 21 locations across NSW over the next six months, with the first being Redfern.
The campaign will run in each location for two weeks, during which police and Crime Stoppers will conduct intensive community-engagement activities.
These will highlight the important role members of the public have to play in helping police to shut down drug-manufacturing syndicates and arrest drug suppliers.
Local residents will be urged to contact Crime Stoppers, where they can anonymously report drug-dealing activities.
Data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research illustrate the burgeoning “ice” problem.
In the 36 months to September 2015, arrests for amphetamine possession soared by 75.3 per cent across NSW (up from 5,063 in 2013 to 8,876 in 2015).
Over the same time period, arrests for dealing/trafficking amphetamines in NSW increased 34 per cent (from 1,567 in 2013 to 2,099 in 2015).
There has also been a steady increase in the number of clandestine drug laboratories detected by police in NSW. In 2008 there were 55; by last year this had jumped to 106.
The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign will target criminals who are manufacturing and supplying ‘ice’, and even one phone call to Crime Stoppers can have an enormous impact.
In September 2012, a single, anonymous call to Crime Stoppers led to State Crime Command’s Asian Crime Squad – now known as the Organised Crime Squad – seizing 585 kilos of ‘ice’ a few months later in February 2013.
Redfern Local Area Commander, Superintendent Luke Freudenstein, said ‘ice’ is of serious concern to the community, particularly in areas where it has taken hold and is seriously impacting the lives of people who live there.
“This is certainly the case in my command. I want it to stop. The residents here want it to stop,” Supt Freudenstein said.
“The message we want to share today is the community can help us stem the flow of drugs by providing anonymous information about manufacturers and suppliers.
“If you feel bad about dobbing in drug dealers, let me remind you: they don’t care about you or your family; they don’t care if people become addicted, commit crimes to feed their habit, or overdose and die; they only care about the money they can make,” Supt Freudenstein said.
Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price, said halting the spread of ‘ice’ requires a whole-of-community response.
“Crime Stoppers is committed to working with NSW Police, community leaders, local residents and the media to gather anonymous information that can help to reduce drug supply and drug-related crimes,” Mr Price said.
“After what we hope will be a fruitful start in Redfern, we’ll be taking this campaign to another 20 communities across NSW over the next six months, and asking everyone to join us in the fight against ‘ice’.
“We want members of the public to play an active role and tell us about criminals that are bringing harmful drugs into their region.
“Making a report to Crime Stoppers is completely confidential. You will never be identified or called up for a court case, but every piece of information you provide can help solve crimes and reduce supply,” Mr Price said.
If you think you have information about someone in your community who is manufacturing or supplying drugs, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 for a confidential conversation or report securely online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
The “Dob in a Dealer” campaign is funded by the Commonwealth Government.
To confirm dates and discuss proposed media activities in each command, please contact NSW Police Media Officer Siobhan McMahon on 0428 436 419.
