Police have issued $15,000 worth of fines to a group of men – aged 56 to 89 – caught playing cards in Marrickville yesterday in breach of public health restrictions.
NSW Police says at around 3.30pm on Saturday, officers from Inner West Police Area Command received information that a group had gathered at a home on Marrickville Road in Marrickville.
“Police attended and found 15 men sitting around a table playing cards in a smoke-filled room,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“The men – aged between 56 and 89 – were all issued $1000 PINs for fail to comply with noticed direction 7/8/9 COVID-19 and directed to return home.”
Police have issued more than 100 Penalty Infringement Notices (PINs) for breaches of the Public Health Act in the last 24 hours, including 30 related to three separate gatherings.
Just after 11pm last night, officers from Cumberland Police Area Command attended an underground carpark on Arthur Street, Merrylands West, following a noise complaint.
“On arrival, police could hear music and voices coming from behind a closed garage door. When the occupants opened the door, it revealed five men in their 20s, playing PlayStation,” police said.
“The men, who were from various suburbs across Sydney, were directed to return home immediately and will be issued with $1000 PINs.”
In a third incident, Auburn Police attended a unit on Olympic Boulevarde at Sydney Olympic Park, just after midnight last night following reports of a party.
“Police located 10 people, aged between 18 and 20, hiding throughout the unit and established they were celebrating an 18th birthday stating they were unaware of the current public health orders.”
After advising partygoers that they would all receive $1000 PINs, officers shut the party down and sent the guests home.
State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys, said people were still making a conscious decision to not stay at home and not comply with the Public Health Orders.
“These examples highlight incredibly selfish and irresponsible behaviour, which we cannot and will not tolerate,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“We have said all along police will be firm but fair, but we are now in the position where we need to be more firm than fair.
“Police will continue to be visible right across the state and we simply ask people to work with us and do the right thing.”
In total, 106 PINs were issued yesterday, with 43 of those $200 infringements for failing to wear a face mask. A further 16 people were charged with failing to comply with Public Health Orders.
Anyone who has information regarding individuals or businesses in contravention of a COVID-19-related ministerial direction is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
