By Jessica Anstice
Police are cracking down on those disobeying the most recent directions of the Chief Health officer, with 546 fines issued since Stage 3 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions were reintroduced.
Operation Sentinel has been underway since March and police have since conducted more than 100,000 checks across the state.
Over the last 24 hours, police have issued a total of 63 fines to individuals for breaching the directions, with 21 of those infringements issued at vehicle checkpoints.
While majority of residents are doing the right thing, there have been a number of disappointing examples of people blatantly disregarding the restrictions.
An example of the rules being broken was when police caught four people – who live in different areas, including Cranbourne, Cranbourne North and Collingwood – gathering at a private residence in Alphington.
When asked by police for their reason for being there, they stated they were there to charge their phone.
All four people at the gathering were issued with fines.
“There are examples of people deliberately flouting the rules and this is incredibly disappointing,” Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville said.
“We all need to work together to slow the spread of coronavirus and if you refuse to do that, you will face the consequences.”
Booze buses have been deployed to road stops and checkpoints to monitor traffic flow, and police are using Automatic Number Plate Recognition to scan registration details and identify the residential addresses of license holders.
There are currently checkpoints along the Princes Highway in Bunyip and the South Gippsland Highway in Lang Lang.
As part of Operation Sentinel, police continue to make house visits to coronavirus cases and close contacts who have been directed to self-isolate, as well as patrol public places all over the state.
Police have undertaken almost 5000 spot checks in the past 24 hours at homes, businesses and non-essential services.
Anyone who breaches the Chief Health Officer’s direction will face on-the-spot fines of $1652 for individuals and $9913 for businesses.
“We know the vast majority of Victorians are doing the right thing and we thank them for that. Following the rules is what keeps our families safe,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
“For those who want to break the rules – Victoria Police is out there and you will get caught.”
