Any local healthcare workers or emergency services personnel who face public attacks during the COVID-19 emergency are asked to report incidents to NSW Police.
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Officer in charge of Nowra Police Station, Inspector Ray Stynes said he was disgusted by reports from outside the area that healthcare workers were being subjected to harassment, or the refusal of service while wearing their medical uniforms in public.
"Thankfully, locally, we have had no reports of attacks on healthcare workers or emergency services personnel during this current emergency," he said.
"But rest assured, if anyone reports such incidents, police will investigate them to the full extent of our powers.
"Our healthcare workers and emergency personnel, including NSW Ambulance and police, should not have to put up with such attacks or incidents at any time, let along during this coronavirus incident."
Just on Saturday, police officers from Nowra arrested a 37-year-old man near the Shoalhaven River, who allegedly claimed he was COVID-19 positive and spat into a male officer's face.
"We are not going to stand for such incidents or threats against workers, who are putting their lives at risk to provide a service to the public," Inspector Stynes said.
"We will use all our available powers to ensure our vital workers are not subjected to such incidents."
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He urged any healthcare workers or emergency services personnel who encountered such harassment or treatment to contact Nowra Police station on 4421 9699.
Local police are also enforcing the stiff new social distancing rules.
Four women learned the hard way after each was issued with a $1000 penalty infringement notice after being found together in a car at North Nowra in the early hours of Sunday morning.
About 2.15am on April 5 officers from South Coast Police District were conducting patrols of the North Nowra area when they came across a vehicle parked near bushland.
As police approached, four women were seen in the vehicle, including three who were lying down in the backseat.
The women told police they had been at a party but had been asked to leave.
They were each issued with a $1000 penalty infringement notice.
People who leave home without a reasonable excuse face a maximum penalty of $11,000 or six months in jail.
Police can also issue on the spot fines or penalty infringement notices of $1000.
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Robert Crawford
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Robert Crawford is a senior journalist at the South Coast Register, for Australian Community Media . Everyone's got a story, what's yours? Email robert.crawford@austcommunitymedia.com.au
