Yesterday, officers from across the Cootamundra Local Area Command and 10 mayors from the district met in Cootamundra to discuss everything from malicious damage to drugs in the community. 

Under the banner of ‘Pact’, Police and Community Together, Cootamundra Commander Superintendent Peter Wanczura said the meetings are a forum where council representatives can let police know what issues are important to them and their constituents. 

“We need to know that we are on the right track, that we are focussing on the things that really matter to people,” Supt Wanczura said. 

Nothing is off limits and police take the information given to them to work on solutions. 

At the last meeting, Supt Wanczura said councils brought forward an issue whereby cyclists are failing to ride two abreast and are putting their safety and that of motorists at risk. 

Rather than issuing fines relating to this, the police have communicated with cycle clubs across the command to ensure all members are aware of their responsibilities on the road. 

It is an issue which can’t be escaped at present and the ‘ice epidemic’ and drugs in general were a topic of discussion. 

Supt Wanczura said a holistic approach must be employed by communities to tackle the issue. 

“It needs to start with education,” Supt Wanczura said. 

This is education of young people about the dangers of drugs and the education of communities about what they can do. 

With methamphetamine, or ice, a hot topic, Supt Wanczura said it has been encouraging to see community groups across the command take a proactive approach arranging forums to deliver the facts, as opposed to the hype, surrounding the drug. 

Talks are underway about a community drugs forum in Cootamundra with Supt Wanczura saying there are a lot of misconceptions. 

“We need to align perceptions with the reality in Cootamundra,” Supt Wanczura said.