Ad urges meth dealers to dob in each other as community group targets junkie hangouts
Police south of Brisbane have given the thumbs up to a bizarre online ad that is calling on drug dealers to dob in their opposition “to monopolise the local industry”, but it comes with a word of warning as a group of volunteers patrols the streets and parks.
Logan
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POLICE cracking down on ice and drug crime south of Brisbane are getting help from some unusual sources.
An online ad is appealing to drug dealers to dob in their opposition and a group of volunteers is patrolling problem parks.
Logan police averaged nine drug offences a day in the week from February 2, attending 35 addresses after roadside drug testing, random searches of people and vehicles and executing search warrants.
Over the past month, police in Logan have recorded more than 369 drug-related offences.
Information and addresses were gleaned after the online ad on Logan crimewatch Facebook page Logan City Alert linked southside drug dealers to the Queensland Police’s “Dob in a Dealer” website.
The ad tells dealers to increase their profit and market share by anonymously dobbing in their opposition. It directs dealers to click on a link to a Queensland Police website and fill out a form giving names and addresses.
“Want to double, triple, quadruple profits?” the ad says.
“Increase you (sic) customer base. Monopolise the local industry.
“100% FREE no cost to you. It’s not rocket science, eliminate the competition.
“Simply click the link at the bottom, fill in the online form, you can remain anonymous and police will take care of the rest.
“Remember for every dealer that says ‘snitches get stitches’ there are three that just saw $$$$$$ so get in first before your competition does.”
Police gave the tongue-in-cheek ad the thumbs up saying QPS fully supported lawful, innovative ways the community could help stop the use and distribution of dangerous drugs.
Police also received further help in the past three weeks from a group of volunteer vigilantes working with the New York-based Guardian Angels.
The group of unarmed volunteers recognised by their red berets, started cleaning up out-of-the-way parks, known to attract junkies, late last year.
Guardian Angel spokesman Ed Hornery, who lives in Logan, and goes by the name of Hawkeye, said the group removed broken alcohol bottles, and used syringes and condoms from more than 10 parks in Woodridge and Logan Central since January.
They also visited Leichhardt St at Logan Central where they picked up syringes near a daycare centre before they cleaned up the footpath outside McDonald’s on the same street.
They spoke to business owners and staff before chopping down some bushes to allow better surveillance of the area from the road.
Nearby Woodridge train station was also a target and two used syringes were found.
The group also went to a property at Logan Central and removed an estimated 300 syringes.
“We contacted Logan City Council and police only to be told it was the property owners’ responsibility so we used social media to highlight and weeks later the house was demolished,” Mr Hornery said.
“We have forwarded all the information to police and have seen results.
“The police have also increased patrols in some of these areas and have directly contributed to the reduction of public drug use.
“With regards to the drug den (at Logan Central) police did raid the property before the security company fenced it off and demolition began.
“Police in Logan have been awesome recording 369 drug-related offences in just the last month.”
Police said they had not worked with Guardian Angels on any websites.
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