Cops pour into Byron for Schoolies
THIRTY additional police officers will pour into Byron Bay on Monday to police Schoolies celebrations which kick-off this weekend.
Inspector Greg Jago of Byron Bay police said the additional officers, including 16 members of the Public Order and Riot Squad, would be on the beat between November 19 to December 3.
He said this year there would be an emphasis on cracking down on adults who supply underage drinkers.
A team from Alcohol Licensing Enforcement, manned by local officers as well as from Lismore and Newcastle, would be conducting foot patrols throughout the CBD during Schoolies.
Insp. Jago said he expected the celebrations to be peaceful but the riot squad was there "in case it turns nasty".
He said he was happy with the additional measures introduced by local bottle shops and venues to curb alcohol abuse.
The new measures, on top of those adopted in previous years, include a ban on selling alcoholic energy drinks, spirit bottles over 700mls and super cheap cleanskins and bottles of wine sometimes known as two-buck chucks.
Byron youth worker and Schoolies co-ordinator Nicqui Yazdi said secondary supply of alcohol was a big problem in the town.
"Parents are the primary supplier however, in a place like Byron Bay you've also got a lot of overseas tourists who may not know the law or care," Ms Yazdi said.
The Schoolies Hub tent, located in the Main Beach Park, will be erected on Friday.
It will operate 24/7 to provide tourist information, a rehydration station, general first aid and anything else that the young visitors might need.
Forty Schoolies volunteers from high schoolers to retirees underwent two days of training this week.
