A maskless man purloining a single orange from a supermarket was one of several lockdown breach incidents in Dunedin yesterday.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen said a 26-year-old man entered New World Gardens at 10am and stole an orange.
The man quickly left after being approached by staff because of his lack of a mask.
He was located and trespassed, and Covid-19 advice was provided to him, Snr Sgt Dinnissen said.
Lockdown protocol continued to be breached throughout the day in the city.
At 4pm the occupants of four flats on Heriot Row were spoken to after partying together in a group of 18.
The group believed the flats were all one bubble because they were connected.
Police advised the occupants of the correct protocols.
Members of the public were "given education" on John Wilson Ocean Dr at 5pm after people in multiple vehicles drove there to go for a walk.
Elsewhere, staff were found to be working at a business in Vogel St after confusion around their ability to work during lockdown.
Police clarified the rules with the owner and two employees present.
The business was closed following further enquiries, Snr Sgt Dinnissen said.
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Comments
In my opinion each of these people should have been arrested, charged with public endangerment, jailed overnight without bail to appear in court the next day.
People need to know that there are consequences for breaking the law.
None of these examples will have learned anything from this experience.
The Police need to treat these people as the criminals they are. If the law is ambiguous or unclear then it needs to be spelt out plan and simple.
I think instant fines are required in these cases. The offenders can then explain to the court later, how they were justified in adding to the risk that the lockdown is prolonged and more cases of Covid and possibly deaths eventuate.
If the carrot of an end to lockdown and not catching Covid isn't working, then use the stick.