The underage, drunken fighting and anti-social behaviour at a 16th birthday party at the weekend used up police resources ensuring the situation did not get nastier.
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They were, as expected, performing their role in keeping good public order and protecting the community and property.
The situation at the party and in nearby streets got out of control but could have been avoided if simple common sense had been followed and adults had been responsible and imposed simple measures.
Underage drinking should have been prevented at the first sight of young people consuming alcohol.
Any transgressors should then have been ordered to leave immediately.
If perpetrators resisted the police should have been called immediately.
If guests had been identified as already having consumed alcohol they should not have been admitted.
The police were called but by then the problem had spread to the streets.
After the incident, police warned it was not acceptable to hold parties where there was underage drinking.
Inspector Dan Skelly from Orana Local Area Command said numerous police resources were tied up for some time dealing with the matter and ensuring the mob caused no damage to property.
“These kids don't realise some of the dire consequences that can unfold and how much at risk they can be when intoxicated and therefore most would not be aware when it is prudent to stop drinking,” he said.
It is due to police and perhaps luck that people were not hurt.
Parents and other adults should ensure they know how to organise and control parties.
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Winter struck with a vengeance on Sunday with Dubbo reaching a chilly -1.4 degrees out at the airport, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
The temperature never looked like breaking into double-digits and there wasn't even a trace of sun to make it feel warmer.
We have been lucky so far this year. Summer ran into March and winter really didn't show itself until the end of May but it really announced itself.
The positive side is that according to the Bureau, there will be no negative temperatures before Saturday, although there was a chance of showers forecast for Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.