Reports to Crime Stoppers and police are on the rise as South Australians fight virus spread
South Australia’s efforts to stop a second COVID-19 wave are being hampered by dozens of people breaking isolation rules every week.
Coronavirus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Coronavirus. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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Dozens of “COVIDiots” are being dobbed into police every week for breaching coronavirus restrictions as South Australians strive to stop a potential second wave, official figures show.
In the past three months, 647 calls were made to Crime Stoppers to report COVID-19 breaches, including a major spike in July.
Police are making more than 400 checks every day and a record number of cases went to court this week. Almost $600,000 in police fines have been issued this year.
No new restrictions were imposed on Friday, despite two new cases being recorded.
As authorities battle to contain the “Thebarton” cluster linked with two Adelaide schools and several northern suburbs businesses, SA Health revealed the two new cases were flown in from India this week. Both are in quarantine.
While the state’s transition committee on Friday decided not to impose any new bans on crowd density, aged-care centres or gyms – due to community compliance and testing – nightclubs and major events needing special “COVID management” would not be approved indefinitely because of interstate risks.
Figures show that in May, 224 people called Crime Stoppers, 148 calls were made in June and a further 275 tips were passed on last month.
People reported potential breaches of self-quarantine and self-isolation orders as well as businesses suspected of failing to comply with restrictions such as crowd numbers or social distancing.
While SA Police were unable to provide data on virus-related calls to its 131 444 hotline, a spokesman said officers were “currently handling a large number of reports”.
Since March, when restrictions were imposed, police have checked 52,505 people including ill patients, travellers or close contacts, 93 per cent of whom were compliant.
A further 23,621 businesses have been checked, 96 per cent of which were cleared.
But 1015 expiations were issued, resulting in cautions and fines worth almost $600,000.
More than 10 people charged with breaking coronavirus directions appeared in court this week. Individuals face a $1060 fine and a body corporate $5060. Police Commissioner and the state’s COVID co-ordinator, Grant Stevens, said officers took an “education” approach and most people were abiding. But he added: “One increasing crime that didn’t exist before was breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
“And unfortunately we are capturing people who are doing the wrong thing.
“Victoria serves as a really strong reminder to us that the consequences of not managing this pandemic as best as possible are significant and devastating. We need everybody to do the right thing.
“And if you know someone who is not doing the right thing then call us, let us know and we’ll take action. We just can’t afford to become complacent. We take this seriously, everyone else should.”
He said authorities were concerned about the Thebarton cluster but none of the five infected patients had been found to have broken rules.
“Let me assure you, I’m not relaxed about this,” Mr Stevens said. “We are very concerned about the Thebarton cluster. “We want to see a level of concern represented in the community that ensures people are taking it seriously.
“We are not in a position now to say that we have dodged that bullet.”
Crime Stoppers SA chairwoman Sharon Hanlon said “ultimately the safety of our community is only as strong as our weakest link”.
“While the volume of COVID-specific reports to Crime Stoppers SA should be of great concern, it is reassuring that people are clearly motivated to do all they can to protect the SA community by sharing what they know without having to say who they are,” she said.
“Too many Australian families have experienced the heartbreak that comes with losing a loved one to coronavirus so anyone blatantly disregarding the safety of others should be held to account.”
Friday’s new cases were an expatriate woman in her 20s and a man in his 50s, who are in hotel quarantine with mild respiratory symptoms. “I am not worried about these cases,” chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said.
More than 1200 people are in isolation and five cluster patients are fighting COVID-19.
This week, magistrates courts in Adelaide, Berri, Mount Gambier and Port Pirie have dealt with people endangering the people of South Australia. For the first time, magistrates used new powers to jail people who wilfully breach the restrictions.
On Friday, Nicole Barnes, 43, from Sturt, appeared in court charged with lying about returning a negative virus test.
She was refused bail and remanded in custody for a fortnight. Police fined 11 bikies for gathering at Glanville in Adelaide’s northwest. Police refused to identify the gang.