Why get clearances?
This from News.com
Police set to charge movie man
March 18, 2005
From: AAP
VICTORIAN police stole the show as they swooped on a group brandishing imitation firearms for an amateur film in a street in northern Melbourne last night.
The crew of about 12 people was staging a prison break in Drummond Street, Coburg, near the former Pentridge prison, when residents phoned police about 9pm (AEDT), Sergeant Trevor Thorn of Coburg police said.
They were carrying an imitation sub-machine gun and two imitation pistols, he said.
“At that time of night in possession of those items, police could have reasonably assumed it was for real,” Sgt Thorn said.
Police in an unmarked car called for back-up.
Three other police units dispatched to the scene soon discovered the group was filming in the street without a permit.
A 23-year-old Brunswick man will be charged on summons with firearms offences.
“I don’t think they understood the full extent of what they were doing,” Sgt Thorn said.
“This incident could have had very serious and tragic repercussions.
“It’s fair to say that police are fairly cautious when they receive information of that nature.
“They’re trained to attend incidents of that nature but thankfully commonsense prevailed.”
Sgt Thorn urged anyone wishing to make a film and use imitation weapons to inform police and the local council, and to seek the correct permits and advice.
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Bit heavy handed maybe, its strange that this isnt an uncommon tale, at my old uni in BrisVegas exactly the same thing happened, except they capsicum sprayed his eyes.
Please feel free to add this to your blog.
Hi Travis - good blog entry but do you really think they were being Heavy handed? Think about how many Australians die from firearms each year (especially given most are illegal) … think about how you would feel if there were people running up and down your street with guns (pretend or not) not a big ask to let neighbors know. A friend of mine copped flack when he reported a fire arms offence on set once - the next night someone was injured (don’t forget how Bruce Lee’s son died). There are easy precautions which help avoid having the special squad turn up … all it takes is a little communicaton and common sense.
Comment by Rachel — April 26, 2005 @ 6:02 am