Snifferdogs at The Big Day Out - organisers issue warning

[rockillusion]

Heads Up for Sydney BDO

have posted this under events and also here, unsure where the best home for this thread is- press release from BDO organisers as heard on radio / internet this morning

A SAFETY WARNING FROM SYDNEY BIG DAY OUT ORGANISERS

24-1-05

Big Day Out organisers would like to advise all ticket holders for this Wednesday’s sold out Sydney event (Sydney Showground, Olympic Park), that NSW Police officers will be patrolling the show entrance and Olympic Park Station to ensure that no illegal substances are brought into the event.

Our understanding is that the NSW Police service will be utilising sniffer dogs.
Big Day Out would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused by this on the day.

Thanks and we’ll see you there,

Big Day Out Organisers

 

[hoptis]

Anyone know if it's common for event organisers to post/email this sort of thing?

Regardless, any speculation on whether Flemington Showgrounds will recieve the same treatment next Sunday?

 

[muzby]

any speculation on whether Flemington Showgrounds will recieve the same treatment next Sunday?

always prepare for the event as if there will be dogs...

that way you will have no surprises if there are...

 

[BigTrancer]

Guys there are multiple threads around on snifferdogs and what they can and can't detect... and other related subjects. Please search for the answers to your general snifferdog questions, we don't have to duplicate all that information in here.

Please stay tuned for a further message developing this topic about BL people's snifferdog experiences at the Sydney Big Day Out.

BigTrancer

 

[Michelle_Chung]

Sniffer dogs and Sydney Big Day Out

Hi all,

As some of you might know, the NSW Ombudsman is doing a review of drug detection dogs, or sniffer dogs. Over the past three years, we have been studying the way that police use the dogs. Eventually, we will report to Parliament on our research.

It has recently been announced that the sniffer dogs will be at the Big Day Out in Sydney.

We would like to hear from you if you had any contact with the sniffer dogs, particularly if you were searched.

This will be your chance to make sure your experience with sniffer dogs gets on the record.

This is not about making complaints about the dogs, it is about helping us to put together a fuller picture of how the dogs are being used and how it is affecting the community. If you decide to get in touch with us, some things you might think about first are how the police treated you and how it made you feel.

Any stories you provide are confidential. You can post to this thread or email me at [email protected]. If you would prefer to talk, or if you have any questions, you can call me directly on (02) 9286-0973.

By the way, if you are interested in finding out more, we have written a discussion paper on drug detection dogs. You can download it here.

 

[pillsnapa]

Sniffer dogs to patrol at Big Day Out
January 25, 2005 - 11:33AM

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Police drug dogs will patrol entries to Sydney's Big Day Out music festival at Homebush tomorrow, despite fears it might spoil the vibe.

Police and the dogs will be part of a drug crackdown targeting the 50,000 revellers expected to pass through Olympic Park railway station - the last stop before the festivities.

Sniffer dogs and police would patrol trains and the station, police said.

Big Day Out producer Ken West said the dogs created the "wrong vibe" and deterred fans having trouble with drugs from seeking police help.

"They are less likely to go up and ask for help if they need it inside the venue if there are sniffer dogs at the stations," Mr West told The Daily Telegraph today.

AAP

 

[marklar_the_23rd]

well thats just great. the only drug available at the big day out will be alcohol. i wonder if data is available to chart the reports of violence where alcohol is involved at previous BDO's where no sniffer dogs were used and then compare that to when sniffer dogs are used.

 

[phase_dancer]

"Happiness: We're all in it together"

well thats just great. the only drug available at the big day out will be alcohol.

Available maybe, But it won't be the only drug taken. That's because most of everything will likely get necked before entering.

So what if a couple of young people die. At least drug use won't be seen to be going on 8)

Just what is the most important thing here; public image or a safe fun time for all?

Also watch out for undercover brothers. From reports they were out and about at the GC BDO.

"Suspicion breeds confidence" after all


captions from the seemingly all too relevant movie 'Brazil'

 

[hoptis]

NEWS: [Herald Sun] 26/01/2005 - ' Sniffer dogs missing on Big Day Out (MELBOURNE)'

Sniffer dogs missing on Big Day Out
Liam Houlihan
26 Jan 2005

MELBOURNE music fans will be able to make their way to the Big Day Out unharassed by police sniffer dogs.

Victoria Police will not be following the lead of Sydney police, who today will deploy dogs to detect drugs at the roving rock festival for the second year in a row.

Concert organisers have expressed disappointment that sniffer dogs could ruin the vibe of the Sydney event.

This month, Melbourne's two drug-detecting black labradors nabbed 35 patrons for drug possession at the Summadayze dance festival. Another 100 were caught for driving under the influence of drugs.

But it is believed Victoria Police will not be concentrating on Melbourne's Big Day Out because they don't expect drug use to be as rampant as at dance or techno events.

Paul Moses, who will join 44,000 others at the showgrounds on Sunday, said he was glad he would not be nuzzled by a police dog at the gates.

"The dogs are a scare tactic that turn the festival environment into something of a police state," the 25-year-old music lover said.

Herald Sun

Couple of interesting points in the article; firstly that Victoria Police claim they don't intend to target Melbourne BDO on Sunday unlike Operation Viking in Sydney.

Secondly an interesting reference, presumably from The Herald Sun about the 35 dog busts and over 100 vehicle/driving busts at Summadayze (still haven't heard anything from official channels about those results).

 

[Special-T.B.K]

I shall reply to this after the MElbourne Event!

SpecTBK

 

[sonicnature]

But it is believed Victoria Police will not be concentrating on Melbourne's Big Day Out because they don't expect drug use to be as rampant as at dance or techno events.

LOL. How uneducated they are.

 

[modem]

But it is believed Victoria Police will not be concentrating on Melbourne's Big Day Out because they don't expect drug use to be as rampant as at dance or techno events.

yes.... thats why i've been stoned by second hand smoke just by standing out near the two main stages.. no one uses drugs at the bdo..

 

[Psychadelic_Paisly]

Wanker Sydney BDO cops are wankers

Big Day Out for drug busts
26jan05
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12063607%5E1702,00.html

THOUSANDS of music lovers packed into Olympic Park in Sydney today, partying to their favourite bands at the Big Day Out festival.

More than 55,000 revellers danced to bands including the Beastie Boys, The Chemical Brothers, The Streets, John Butler Trio, Grinspoon and Powderfinger.

But police were not impressed with the number of people arrested for drugs offences.

Sniffer dogs at the venue and on Sydney trains helped flush out more than 200 people allegedly carrying drugs such as cannabis, ecstasy, speed, cocaine and heroin.

Of the 200-plus people, 21 were charged with supply, police said late tonight, revised down from their earlier figure of 35.

One man was charged for possessing 19 ecstasy tablets and nine bags of speed.

Sixty adults and five juveniles received cannabis cautions.

Superintendent Inspector Greg Rolph said police were disappointed in the number of people allegedly carrying drugs, particularly because officers had warned concert goers about the presence of police and sniffer dogs.

"It appears that we still can't get the message across that drugs won't be tolerated as people have not heeded our warnings."

After appearing in Auckland, the Gold Coast and Sydney, the Big Day Out moves on to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

 

[Winterborn]

^ Yeah they were out, but damn easy to spot as always.

 

[Tronica]

Tribes United
27jan05
Herald Sun

AN ECLECTIC line-up of veteran rockers, hip-hoppers, dance duos and fledgling fusion drew more than 55,000 people to the annual gathering of Sydney's musical tribes at the 2005 Big Day Out yesterday.

Headliners the Beastie Boys, Powderfinger and the Chemical Brothers may have commanded the main stages after sunset but it was the breakthrough local acts who drew enormous crowds of up to 20,000 people to the smaller stages.

The BDO punters were greeted by dozens of police and sniffer dogs at the Olympic Park railway exit.

Police said more than 200 people were arrested with a range of drugs in their possession, including LSD, amphetamines, cannabis and ecstasy.

Overall, 21 people were caught on supply charges, including five juveniles. One man was caught with 19 ecstasy tablets and nine bags of speed.

But BDO 2005 attracted a crowd more into having fun and listening to music yesterday than causing trouble, as evidenced by the regular presence of girls at the front of the barricades.

St John Ambulance staff treated more than 533 people for minor injuries, including headaches, heat exhaustion and blisters, with 10 people taken to hospital.

Earlier in the day Swedish rock band The Hives did their best to beat the sweaty conditions in their classy black and white dinner suits.

"We are cool people playing cool music to cool you down," said lead singer Howling Pelle.

Powderfinger delivered the ultimate sing-along set, even inspiring one female fan to throw her bra in the direction of frontman Bernhard Fanning.

The festival also signalled the local bands to watch with stellar performances from New Zealand rapper Scribe, Sydney trio Wolfmother, blues rock duo the Mess Hall and Ramones-influenced girl group Spazzys.

For the first time in the festival's 13-year history the closing act, the Chemical Brothers, were moved to the main stage.

Their electronic rock set turned the Sydney Showground's main arena into a jam-packed rave with a crowd no longer moshing, but dancing with the last vestiges of energy after a 12-hour day.

 

[Michelle_Chung]

Re: Sniffer dogs and Sydney Big Day Out

Don't forget:

We would like to hear from you if you had any contact with the sniffer dogs, particularly if you were searched.

See my previous post for more details.

 

[tranquilo]

Just to supplement/compliment the sentiments of Phase Dancer, peeps may be interested in this latest govt 'initiative'....nationalism goes so well with uniforms, dogs, curtailment of liberties etc etc.

http://www.dest.gov.au/Ministers/Media/Nelson/2005/01/n1041250105.asp

 

[darko_e]

wow the best they got was 19 pills and nine 'bags' of speed, are they going to be at the melbourne station?

 

[hoptis]

Couple of other news reports on the Sydney BDO/drug related:

Big day for drugs
27 Jan 2005

SNIFFER dogs helped find 120 people allegedly carrying drugs at Sydney's Big Day Out music festival attended by about 50,000 people yesterday.

Police charged 35 with supply, including one man for possessing 19 ecstasy tablets and nine bags of speed. Sixty people and five juveniles received cannabis cautions.

The BDO is on in Melbourne this Sunday.

Herald Sun

Excerpt from Sydney Morning Herald article on the day:

BDO's blisters and bruises
By Bernard Zuel
January 27, 2005

Surprisingly for those who assume it's a given at a rock festival, there were no drug-related injuries. But police said they were disappointed with the number of drug arrests at the Homebush event after 120 people were found to be carrying drugs. The main substances were LSD, speed, cannabis and ecstasy.

Police said 35 people were charged with supplying drugs, and there were 60 cannabis cautions. Sniffer dogs were used as part of a drug crackdown targeting the revellers.

Strangely for those who saw Slipknot, there were no mask-related injuries.

Sydney Morning Herald

 

[Donny Don't]

Please stay tuned for a further message developing this topic about BL people's snifferdog experiences at the Sydney Big Day Out.

I caught the train from Granville station and when i got there there were 2 cops with a dog patrolling the platform. It was pretty sparsely populated and there was one dude sitting down reading a magazine. The cops walked up behind him, and as soon as he realised they were there the dog had sniffed his bag and they were asking him to come with them. He looked pretty distressed.

Then when i got to olympic park station there were 5 cops and 5 dogs standing right outside the ticket gates, so everybody passing through would hae gone within a couple of feet of one of these dogs, but i didn't see them stopping anybody....they were there for show more than anything else.

There were probably another 10 or so dogs walking randomly amongst people queueing up or waiting for friends, but again i didn't see the cops actually catching anybody.