When Did Sydney Get So Ugly?

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 15th December, 2009

Last weekend NSW Police were out in force with “Operation Unite”. 1400 police were deployed across the state, aiming to reduce alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour. In total over two days, 640 people were arrested, 1025 charges laid and 374 drink-drivers caught during 48,162 breath-tests.

It was a regular Sydney weekend, but the level of alcohol related violence noted by authorities was disturbing. NSW Police media said officers were “disgusted”. According to the Daily Telegraph, the weekend before Operation Unite saw three murders and six glassings in Sydney.

Operation Unite Commander, Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli, said, “On Friday night alone, we made more than 330 arrests, caught 176 people drink-driving and laid more than 500 charges.”

Mennilli said that from 1am Sunday morning there were “a large series of unrelated brawls and assaults” in the Sydney CBD, including one which involved over a dozen men on George Street, and another at Darling Harbour involving 20 men.

“It’s just staggering… [Saturday] night we had reports of six men bashing another man in the centre of the city, another man naked at The Rocks allegedly attempting to strangle his partner, a bus inspector targeted with a laser pointer and a serious glassing in a pub at Ultimo.

“Bottles were thrown randomly at vehicles, male and female youths were involved in a large street brawl at Woolloomooloo while two teenage girls were arrested over an assault and robbery in Hyde Park.”

Daily Telegraph report that one man was arrested at King Street Wharf for allegedly urinating on a person’s head as he lay down. Over the weekend a 30 year old gay man was severely beaten by three men on Oxford Street. He was knocked unconscious and robbed.

On the second night of Operation Unite in NSW, there were 307 arrests, 509 charges laid and 198 motorists nabbed for drink-driving.

“During this operation my officers were spat on, abused and king-hit,” he said.

“Two officers were hospitalised on the first night of the operation while clearing the streets of drunken offenders and protecting the community. One of the officers suffered a broken nose.

“We’re sick of this booze-til-you-drop culture and so is the public,” said Mennilli.

Drugs were also on the agenda, with extra uniformed and plain clothed police on patrol, along with most of the force’s specialist commands including drug detection dogs, Mounted Police, Regional Enforcement Squads, Alcohol Licensing Enforcement Command officers, Operational Support Group (OSG) police and Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS) units.

The Daily Telegraph reported that one of the first major arrests of the operation was on Oxford St in the city with the discovery of a man carrying 1.7 litres of the drug GBL. The 24 year old was from Italy, here on a student visa. He was stopped on Little Oxford St where he was spotted acting suspiciously. Other drug arrests were made by Police inside various nightclub toilets.

It seems like everyday NSW feels like more and more like a police state, with the increased use of sniffer dogs, tasers, venue lockouts, club raids. But is it working? Are we feeling safer yet?

Your Thoughts

naughtylion

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

Peanut brittle Preparation Time 5 minutes Cooking Time 30 minutes Makes a 28 x 18cm piece Ingredients * 550g (2 1/2 cups) sugar * 125mls (l/2 cup) water * 50g butter * 75g (1/2 cup) unsalted, roasted peanuts Method 1. Line a 28 x 18cm slice pan with foil. 2. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and then bring to the boil. Gently boil, occasionally brushing the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent sugar crystals from forming, for 25 minutes or until a rich golden colour (148°C on a sugar thermometer). 3. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and peanuts with a wooden spoon, until just combined. 4. Quickly pour the toffee mixture into the prepared pan (it won't fill it completely). Set aside in a cool place until the toffee sets. 5. Break the brittle into desired size pieces and store in a greaseproof paper-lined airtight container with greaseproof paper between each layer of brittle. Notes & tips * To prevent the brittle from becoming moist, store it in an airtight container or sealed cellophane bag, where it will keep for up to 5 days. * Peanut brittle is not recommended for children under eight. Taste.com.au has everything you need for Christmas including Christmas gift ideas like truffles and rum balls, Christmas menu plans and handy video how to tips.

TheOldie

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

You should taste my home Shortbread Naughty. Made from scratch and its the real thing but I'm not posting the recipe. Family secret. Will give the peanut brittle ago though.

shazzboy

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

I don't even know what you're all arguing about. I am so out of touch.

naughtylion

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

Oldie keep your shortbread in your pants. ;)

badamj2000

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

Peanut brittle Preparation Time 5 minutes Cooking Time 30 minutes Makes a 28 x 18cm piece Ingredients * 550g (2 1/2 cups) sugar * 125mls (l/2 cup) water * 50g butter * 75g (1/2 cup) unsalted, roasted peanuts Method 1. Line a 28 x 18cm slice pan with foil. 2. Combine the sugar and water in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and then bring to the boil. Gently boil, occasionally brushing the sides of the pan with a pastry brush dipped in water to prevent sugar crystals from forming, for 25 minutes or until a rich golden colour (148°C on a sugar thermometer). 3. Immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter and peanuts with a wooden spoon, until just combined. 4. Quickly pour the toffee mixture into the prepared pan (it won't fill it completely). Set aside in a cool place until the toffee sets. 5. Break the brittle into desired size pieces and store in a greaseproof paper-lined airtight container with greaseproof paper between each layer of brittle. Notes & tips * To prevent the brittle from becoming moist, store it in an airtight container or sealed cellophane bag, where it will keep for up to 5 days. * Peanut brittle is not recommended for children under eight. Taste.com.au has everything you need for Christmas including Christmas gift ideas like truffles and rum balls, Christmas menu plans and handy video how to tips. Where is the love peoples? Who needs a hug?

shaynesydney

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

do u promise not to try and feel me up?

badamj2000

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

U made it dirty!

shaynesydney

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

well don't put urself out, I'll feel myself up. :D

badamj2000

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

well don't put urself out, I'll feel myself up. :D Im a lady and so am suitably appalled by your inappropriate lewd suggestion . OOOOh you are awful , bit I like you.

JayTee

said on the 18th Dec, 2009

there are just sooo many issues that seem more important than your right to sit in a pub at 2 a.m. Religious groups and schools are still exempt from homophobic vilification laws, the internet is being censored in this country, HIV+ people are stigmatised by non-existent education, one new guy is diagnosed HIV+ thru ignorance, we can't even agree on a scheme to save the future of all life from climate change. So 'scuse me if I put you and your 2 a.m. plonk-up a bit further down on my to-do list. And thanks for being on the show. LOL! you took the words right out of my mouth!

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