A visiting friend expressed a desire to see Nimbin so off we went. We had lunch, browsed the shops, bought some colourful clothing and laughed at the chickens.
My friend commented on the friendly atmosphere but just then I noticed a band of what appeared to be thugs approaching. As they drew near I realised that they were in fact members of the police, six of them all walking in that way they do with their arms held away from their sides and a swagger and a mean look to strike fear into the hearts of the tourists.
I thought we were short of police so I fail to see why six of the finest are deployed to harass tourists. I often read about alcohol-related violence but have yet to read about someone crazed on pot going off to injure persons or property. Surely there are more important things for the police to do?
I won’t be in a hurry to go back to Nimbin. I’ll bring my visitors to other parts of our beautiful northern rivers and let them spend their dollars there.
Maureen McDermott, Alstonville
Funny that, my similar experience was when I was harassed by a bunch of Sydney thugs who’d moved into Nimbin, demanding to know why I refused to buy their drugs. That was a couple of years ago, before the police beefed up their presence at Nimbin. I’m glad to see that the ‘swaggering mob’ are now police officers.
Well, I certainly understand the sentiment Maureen, unfortunately this is exactly the effect that these thugs are striving for. These stand-over merchants can’t abide the fact, that Nimbin is built on hemp and is probably the least dangerous locality in NSW to spend time on the street after dark,that is if you avoid the police..
This is a little embarrassing when they’re trying to perpetuate the nonsense,that THC will turn the population into psychotic,antisocial monsters.I think it is time to provide them with a reality check and show a little support for the good work, carried out in this new-age paragon of sustainable virtue,that must be emulated across the country if we are to survive the global warming threat. So… next year lets all arrive in overwhelming numbers to support the Mardi Grass !
Safe after dark??? Seriously?? Spend some time talking to victims of bashings after dark. Go somewhere else.