Police break up street party

BY ANNE VON FEHRN
A local street fest ended in the arrest of a woman who now disputes the legal basis of these accusations as she claims police failed to get a statement from her.
The incident occurred during the popular City2Surf when locals were having a community gathering in Brighton Boulevard.

Sue Fenn is facing three charges: offensive language, assaulting an officer and resisting an officer, and appeared in the local court on September 2. The case was adjourned to October 21.
“Nobody took a statement from me at the station. I wonder whether the charges are actually legal since there is no record from me,” she said.

Waverley Council said the event did not have council approval, but most neighbours were notified and many participated.

Mrs Fenn was among them but unlike others, she left in a police wagon.

“It was a peaceful party, it had nothing to do with the City2Surf and it was attended by young and old alike,” she said.

According to Mrs Fenn, a female police officer grabbed her arm to stop her from walking through a section that was sealed off by police for the City2Surf bordering Brighton Boulevarde. Within minutes several police arrived, Mrs Fenn was arrested, and the party was called off.

Police say someone in the crowd threw a bottle but others who were present question this claim saying that an empty bottle had fallen off a fence, which in turn triggered the police heavy-handed response.

“No one actually saw the alleged bottle thrower,” party attendee Vincenzo Amato said. “It seems that this was just an excuse by police to close the party.”

Mr Amato, who lives in Brighton Boulevarde and is a member of the multicultural committee of Waverley Council, expressed concern about the force police applied during the incident. He said he had asked for a report at Waverley police station but was sent away empty handed.

Police declined to comment on any details of the incident saying the matter was due to be heard in court and no statements could be made in the meantime.

Mrs Fenn has sought representation through Legal Aid and hopes to bring witnesses along to her defence.