Police have praised the behaviour of school leavers after a safe and relatively incident-free Schoolies Festival on the South Coast.
Operation Schoolies ran from Friday the 21st to Sunday the 23rd of November, bringing together Hills Fleurieu police, Dog Operations, Mounted Operations, Traffic Services and Licensing teams.
South Australia Police reported no arrests or reports among school leavers across the three-day event in Victor Harbor, with officers crediting respectful behaviour and strong community support.
Across the weekend, 111 school leavers were screened with metal detectors, and no weapons were detected. Police issued 17 expiations, mostly for drinking in dry zones, along with two for urinating in public and two for possessing liquor in a dry zone.
Two school leavers were found with illicit drugs and received drug diversions. One was issued an expiation after being found with cannabis. Police say they will continue supporting those young people and their families.
Operation Commander Superintendent Joanne Howard said she was encouraged by the attitude of this year’s group.
“It is pleasing this year’s school leavers have had a great time, behaved respectfully and returned home safely, ready to start the holidays,” Superintendent Howard said.
She also acknowledged the local community and volunteers for their role in delivering a smooth event.
“We would like to thank the Victor Harbor community for their generous engagement with school leavers and acknowledge Encounter Youth’s Green Team volunteers’ dedication to delivering a safe and great event.”
On the surrounding roads, police conducted 499 driver screening tests. Three non-school-leavers returned positive alcohol readings, and no drug-driving positives were recorded. Two non-school-leavers were arrested or reported and had their vehicles impounded. One school leaver on P-plates was also fined for drink-driving.
Police say school leavers are now heading into the next stage of their lives and are encouraging them to take the “safe choices” message with them beyond the festival.
