A quiet end to a quiet schoolies | Education

Alan Lander | 1st December 2008

Schoolies Naomi Delaney, Danii Wheelhouse, Brodie Codd and Lucy Stevenson.

SUNSHINE Coast police were yesterday celebrating the end of a quiet and very successful schoolies-week operation.

Superintendent Ben Hanbidge yesterday said a police blitz organised for the weekend netted 23 offenders for 28 offences.

A strong police presence was focused on the Mooloolaba precinct, with an additional presence at Caloundra.

But the weekend turned out to be less hectic than last year's subdued end-of-schoolies affair.

“It was pretty quiet,” Supt Hanbidge said.

He said that while the usual spate of weekend offences and charges took place it was down to the locals rather than the young visitors.

“Two schoolies were charged; one for wilful damage, the other for unlawfully climbing a structure,” he said.

“But all in all schoolies were extremely well behaved.”

Supt Hanbidge said 26 additional police were rostered to cover Mooloolaba and part of the Caloundra area.

“We paid a bit of attention to Caloundra around the Landsborough Parade and Golden Beach area as there has been some trouble there recently,” Supt Hanbidge said. “But it was quiet (too).”

Supt Hanbidge said 50 liquor infringements were issued and a weekend random breath-test campaign netted five drink drivers out of the 300 tested.

Mr Hanbidge said the weekend blitz was all about visibility.

“Our approach was really trying to maintain a high visible presence and paying particular attention to late-night licensed venues,” he said.

“It worked. There were few problems, which was good to see.”

Queensland schoolies is finished with just Victoria's schoolies celebrations still underway.

Supt Hanbidge said police would now turn their attention to upcoming traffic operations, with “plenty” on their way.

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