| Project title: | New Year's Eve Operation |
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| Project type: | Situational Crime Prevention |
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| Researchers/contact: | Mrs Phil Dixon |
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| Commencement date: | 1990 |
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| Location: | VIC ; Cowes, Phillip Island |
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| Funding body/institution: | Australian Violence Prevention Award 1995 |
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| Description of the study: | New Years Eve on Phillip Island had previously involved large numbers of police deployed to control the behaviour of mainly young people affected by alcohol. Following a public meeting, community leaders, local government officials, police and other agencies formed a committee in an attempt to 'deal with' the problem. In cooperation with the Victorian Roads Corporation, Environment Protection Authority and Volunteer State Emergency, new policing strategies were introduced to prevent the violence and public disorder that had come to characterised New Year's Eve in the past. These included: 1) Road blocks on the main access road to Phillip Island, each day for one week preceding New Years Eve, 2) Traffic and crowd control at Cowes on 31 December, commencing at 7am, including a parking ban for all motor vehicles within 500 metres of the hotel, 3) Police personnel on foot patrols from early morning, interacting with the community, particularly young people, 4) Advertising local laws and police operations through the media. A welfare plan involving Salvation Army personnel assisted by other volunteers from local churches and community groups was also put into operation. The aim in this case was to supply refuge for young persons affected by alcohol. Medical assistance with a first aid post close to the main activities was provided. |
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| Description of the outcomes: | The results of this project indicated that the strategies employed by the local community and police on and around the evening of New Years eve dramatically decreased the incidence of violence and crime. In the year preceding the program (1989-90) police recorded 17 Arrests and 50 injuries, on the eve of the new year, however during the period 1990-91 and after the implementation of the crime prevention strategies, only six arrests were recorded and two injuries. The figures for 1991-92 were reduced even further after a continuation of the program. The project committee concluded that controlling the consumption and availability of alcohol in public places prevents confrontation between revellers and police providing for a safe environment for all sections of the community to celebrate a festive occasion. |
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| Evaluation: | Although a systematic evaluation was not under taken informal evidence regarding the programs impact appeared positive. |
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