Regional SA Centres Gain Public Shopping Status

0:00This is Adelaide News today, every story, every city, every day. Four regional shopping areas in South Australia are now the first outside metropolitan Adelaide to be declared public shopping centers. These include the Port Augusta Central Business District, Westland Shopping Center in Weyalla, and two spots in Mount Gambier, the Coles and Aldi, precinct plus Mount Gambier Central. The move gives police extra powers to search for weapons and order people posing a safety risk to leave for 24 hours with a fine of $1,250 if they return. This built on similar declarations in Adelaide centers like Marion, Elizabeth City Center, and Arndale, where the powers have already proven effective. In the first three months there, officers found 19 knives. Police Commissioner Grant Stevens says the tools help spot dangers in busy public spots and plans to eye more regional areas for the same treatment. Locals and leaders are largely on board.

1:01The member for Giles, Eddie Hughes backs it due to daily disruptions and crime in Weyalla and Port Augusta. The Port Augusta Council Chief welcomes it after pushing the government and a cinema owner there says it makes businesses and shoppers feel safer. After recent threats, police and Mount Gambier picked those high traffic zones for past knife incidents and overall risks, promising sensitive searches to cut disruptions. Superintendent Trink Cox notes most folks prioritize safety over minor hassles during the adjustment period. Meanwhile, some raise concerns about searches hitting certain groups harder like Aboriginal or African communities based on Victoria data. But supporters, including council reps, say police use powers fairly and work well with locals while Weyalla and Port Augusta add citywide dry zones to curve violence. We'd like to thank our sponsor for making this episode possible. Playback, press play, let the pillow do the rest, sound meets comfort, S-O-L-I, solely pillow.com