Police Snippets

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Caution drivers
As the festive season approaches, police are putting a warning out to the community about responsible driving while attending events and activities especially if alcohol is involved. Sergeant Geoff Medland says summer operations are starting up and police will be doing random checks for anyone who is intoxicated while driving or speeding, and also checking WOF’s and registrations.

“We will be out in force patrolling so everyone can have a safe and happy summer,” he says.

Medland says people need to think seriously about the consequences of driving under the influence and how it could affect their lives. Besides putting others at risk as well as their own life, being disqualified from driving can effect independence and snowball into financial hardship.

“If you’re disqualified from driving for six months or more, chances are you may not be able to get to work or get the kids to school,” he says. “It can lead to losing employment resulting in financial troubles and debt. It is simply not worth drinking and driving.”

A widely held assumption that people are sober enough to drive after ‘sleeping off’ a night of drinking is not necessarily true says Medland.

“Sleep does not always disqualify alcohol. Depending on how much you’ve consumed, you can still be drunk and unsafe to drive after sleep,” he says. “It’s safer to just not drink when you know you’re going to be driving.”

Hungry rustler
Dargaville police are appealing for help after an attack on a cow. On November 16, an Ayrshire milking cow was slaughtered for meat in a roadside paddock on Tangowahine Valley Road, Dargaville.

If anyone has any information, please contact Sergeant Garth Mackay at Dargaville Police, 09 4393400 or anonymously through Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Burnouts targeted
Local police have received a number of calls regarding drivers doing burnouts around Mangawhai streets. Constable Dale Wewege advises to get a description of the car and if possible registration number before calling police.

“Particular areas targeted seem to be the junction of Cove and Mangawhai Road,” he says. “We have a possible suspect for a driver who was doing burnouts on Old Waipu Road and Molesworth Drive last weekend.”

Watch valuables
Constable Wewege also wants to remind people to be more careful of valuable items as Mangawhai’s population increases over the summer season.

“However it is good to report that we’ve had a very good couple of weeks with no major incidents.”

- REPORTING/Julia Wade

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