Our Taxes at Work

Last night at the Dandenong train station, 35 police officers and a pot pooch spent 4 hours sniffing out people looking for drugs. 

I must admit I feel much safer now since our boys in blue have cleaned up the area. Next time I get a train via Dandenong station, there may be one less person carrying pot. Breath easy!

Just a few questions:

• Was Operation Browny a success?  
• If they hadn’t caught these dangerous druggies, would it had made a difference to me sitting at home? 
• Did it keep anyone safer including those travelling via Dandenong station? 
• Is charging 20 people with drug possession from searching 115 considered a good hit rate?
• How much did this cost?

Let’s see. 35 police and a dope dog would cost about $2000 per hour.

• Was this the best way to spend our tax dollars considering there is a police shortage?
• How many police officers were taken from other duties? 
• How many other crimes were not stopped because of this crack down?
• Is Operation Browny still considered a success since no dealers were caught but only people carrying drugs?

Police are taking a zero tolerance approach when it comes to people carrying drugs

--Sergeant Colin Huth of the Transit Unit in Dandenong

• Is giving someone a lifetime criminal record for possessing a small amount of drugs really good policing?
• Is it a good idea to confiscate drugs from an addict when they will probably have to commit a crime to replace what was taken?
• Will Operation Browny deter others from carrying drugs on public transport?
• Will people affected by drugs now drive instead?
• Will people who are drunk and have drugs on them, also drive instead?
• Will those who were searched and found to possess no drugs, feel violated?
• Does the presence of drug dogs in public areas along with handlers in paramilitary uniforms really convey the image of a safe community? 
• Is there any evidence that these tactics have a positive outcome?

How about the government and police address the above questions before embracing the old Zero Tolerance strategies that have failed us for the last 40 years.

PAD Dog Operation in Dandenong

Victoria Police News

October 2010

Police have charged 20 people with drug possession following a passive alert detector (PAD) dog operation in Dandenong last night.

Operation Browny, conducted by Dandenong Transit Unit, targeted people carrying drugs and weapons in and around the Dandenong Railway Station.

Around 35 members in plain clothes and one drug detection dog searched people in the area and on trains as part of the crack-down.

Transit police conducted 115 pat downs in search of people carrying illicit drugs.

Police also discovered several people carrying weapons including kitchen and folding knives. 

Sergeant Colin Huth of the Transit Unit in Dandenong said Operation Browny confirmed the effectiveness of transit police working together with police dogs.

"The success of the operation is that we are just simply letting the dog do its job," he said.

Sgt Huth said the message was simply – if you carry it, you will get caught.

"Police are taking a zero tolerance approach when it comes to people carrying drugs," he said.

Sgt Huth said cannabis was generally the most common drug detected, followed by illicit drugs such as speed and other amphetamines.

"Of the 86 people that were detected during the last operation in September, 20 had drugs in their possession," he said.

"This shows that the dog is picking up the scents, even if the drug has been used prior."

Kelly Yates 

Media Officer