Tennant Creek Police are leading a comprehensive campaign to ensure the expected influx of visitors to the town for this weekend's Lightning Football Carnival does not lead to anti-social and drunken behaviour.
Police have been meeting with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure each agency is able to get their safety messages out to the community before the weekend.
Superintendent Megan Rowe said police would be out in numbers to ensure people have a good time and are not "humbugged" or intimidated by bad behaviour due to the expected influx of visitors for the weekend.
"We will have additional police officers in town over the weekend and will be focussing on anti-social behaviour and especially, drink driving," Supt Rowe said.
" While we want everyone to be able to enjoy themselves, we strongly recommend that people don't humbug family or get into fights because of living in close quarters with one another while visiting," Supt Rowe said.
"We have been working closely with the Council of Elders and Respected Persons of Tennant Creek, Centrelink, the Department of Health and Families and ADSCA, the Indigenous Coordination Centre, FACSIA, NT Housing, the Department of Education, Catholic Care, the Youth Advisory Committee and the Barkly Shire Council in preparation for this weekend.
"The overwhelming message from each of these groups is that visitors to town for the Lightning Football Carnival need to show respect for the town, the Warumungu elders and for one another and for the homes and families they are visiting while they are here."
Supt Rowe said local licensees would once again be restricting the sale of some alcohol products over the weekend.
"This has proved to be very successful in reducing the level of violence and anti-social behaviour at these events in the past and the licensees should be commended for their community-mindedness in this matter."
Supt Rowe said, as well as reminding people about the dangers of anti-social behaviour and drink driving, each of the stakeholder agencies also had messages for the visitors to town.
"For instance, the Council of Elders & Respected Persons remind visitors that acknowledgement of other people's country is very important. In the old times visitors asked for permission to enter and stay in a community outside of their own country.
The Laws of Respect -
Respect for your own country
Respect for other peoples country
Respect for yourself
Respect for your family
Respect for other Aboriginal People
It is customary law to obey local rules and respect the traditional owner's decision and Aboriginal community values.
It is customary law to obey local rules about places and where to go.
Centrelink is advising people to ensure they have money on their Basics Card before they leave their communities, and also remind people to bring that card and their normal bank key card to town with them so they have money for food and accommodation if they're staying with friends and relatives. They should also arrange their trip home before leaving the community.
The Indigenous Coordination Centre and FACSIA along with NT Housing requests that visitors respect the homes of the people they might stay with if they are from out of town.
"You can go back home, but if you damage or muck up a home that belongs to someone in the town or in the camps, they have to live with it when you go and they might get into trouble for it." Supt Rowe said.
"That's not fair on your families and friends. Take care of other people's houses. It's a shame to treat them rough."
The Department of Education reminds visitors and locals to care for family and kids.
"School is very important for children to have a good future - just because there's a football carnival on and parents want to come to Tennant Creek, that isn't an excuse for your kids not to go to school," Supt Rowe said.
"The Department is advising that kids should either stay in the community where they go to school with other responsible relatives or be taken back to the community in time for school on Tuesday morning."
Catholic Care and the Youth Advisory Committee are urging people to think about their kids over the long weekend and make sure that they are safe, well fed and cared for and not wandering the streets unsupervised.
"Kids get into trouble when parents and family don't look out for them, "Supt Rowe said.
The Barkly Shire Council has also come out in support of this good behaviour campaign. They ask that locals and visitors take care of public spaces and don't abuse the facilities.
"For example, there are maintained public toilets in Peko Park and at the football oval for everyone to use, but one or two people who make a mess or trash the toilets ruin things for everyone else. The Council is asking everyone to show some respect in town."
Supt Rowe said NT Police were also organising flyers with these messages to be sent to the communities as a reminder to those thinking about coming to town for the weekend.
Media contact:
Theresa Kuilboer
8951 8825
0419 803 603
