r/melbourne • u/RentConscious9440 • Mar 10 '23

What’s happening in the cbd? The Sky is Falling

Walking home through the CBD and there’s an unusually large amount of police standing around. Saw they’re searching pockets/bags and using a metal detector on people at Flinders station. Any idea what’s going on?

46 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

208

u/JOPHESTUS Mar 10 '23 • Helpful

It's what they call an omni operation. The train stations get declared a designated area under control of weapons act which gives them power to search any person in that area for weapons. The searches are conducted by metal detectors usually.

They do it on big nights like NYE and Moomba (which is on this weekend).

From what I recall there were a few stabbing deaths last year at Moomba so I imagine they are aiming to prevent a repeat

46

u/RentConscious9440 Mar 10 '23

Wow. That makes sense, thank you for explaining!

22

u/TeddyAtHome Mar 10 '23

I remember on NYE getting searched for weapons when the cop rummaged through my tobacco pouch years back. Pretty sure he was hoping to book me on charges not related to weapons.

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u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

[deleted]

14

u/kindafunctionalguy Mar 10 '23

We have the right to gay marriage, right to abortions, right to vote, right to be a minority without being shot by police, free healthcare, safe schools, freedom of speech and are ranked higher on the freedom index than America. Last I checked, we didn’t have our population pepper sprayed during a BLM protest so that a leader could get a photo op, or have riots due to an attempted coup. You arnt subjugated here, you were subjugated in the US and then just brainwashed into thinking you were the ‘home of the free’. Not that you’d understand that given the poor public education system you grew up in

56

u/alwaysneedanewname Mar 10 '23

I’m curious as to what your former American self feels about needing metal detectors and active shooter drills in schools in America? Are you upset for the same reasons? If you ask most Australians I’m fairly certain they’d prefer to be randomly searched for weapons when passing through a train station very occasionally, as I understand it they’re using metal detectors? Not much of an invasion of privacy unless you keep your coke in an ornamental gun/knife in your pocket and they ping you for both or either.

-46

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

[deleted]

18

u/hockeyjoker Seppo the Xpat Mar 10 '23

May I ask when you were last in the U.S.? Your memories of the country are shockingly different from my own, which include incidences of domestic spying, police brutality, and, yes, metal detectors and bag checks everywhere.

You've chosen an odd hill to die on.

0

u/rangda Mar 10 '23

I think that’s their point - they don’t want Aus to go down the same road.
They’re getting downvoted as if their comments are USA number one! But that’s not what they’ve been saying at all.

32

u/alwaysneedanewname Mar 10 '23

Not sure what the correlation is between walking through a metal detector and taking a shit with the door open but do you use the same argument for every single school kid in America who has to walk through metal detectors on their way into school? America is a great example of what not to do so I think most of us are happy to deviate from the standards you set with relation to violent crime and weapons.

1

u/rangda Mar 10 '23

If the metal detector pings me wrong the cops can now pat me down. I don’t personally want to be physically handled by cops just for getting the train home. That would feel disgusting and honestly ruin my week.

Sorry but they’re right. This would not even be acceptable in the USA where the weapon homicides are so high, so why is it so easily accepted here?

10

u/alwaysneedanewname Mar 10 '23

Because it’s there once or twice a year for a max of about 2 hours and they’re searching for weapons due to a big event in the area. It’s not a permanent change to all stations in Melbourne. Get a grip.

I’d happily pop through a metal detector at the station on random Friday once a year if it means it potentially avoids a mass stabbing event.

7

u/next_iteration7 Mar 10 '23

If you get pinged by a metal detector you are first asked by police if you can produce the metal object at which point you're rescanned. If you can't produce a metal object and rescan without a positive result, THEN they"ll pat you down.

Metal detectors don't get it wrong. Dogs are a whole other issue.

-23

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

Are you equating entering an American high school as a student with exiting a train station into a city? Are they the same thing to you? Do the same expectations of privacy, or not, apply?

22

u/alwaysneedanewname Mar 10 '23

What’s more similar, a train station and an airport or a train station and a primary and/or high school? Anyway, you’re clearly not presenting a particularly well constructed argument so I’m gonna call it a day. Have a good one.

1

u/rangda Mar 10 '23

Airport security seeking weapons is for preventing plane hijackings and bombs.

US schools need metal detectors for high rates of shootings in some areas. Not just mass shootings but gangland style shootings.

A train station in Melbourne targeting commuters is not similar enough to either of those things to draw a close comparison.

-18

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

[deleted]

14

u/Amberfire_287 Mar 10 '23

I am fascinated as to why the two scenarios seem so different to you. They seem to equate well to me.

-5

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

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u/37Schmeckles Mar 10 '23

Nope. Theres no ‘fundamental rights ‘ here. Throw your entire world view out. In fact, to australasians; American’s are more foreign in their thinking than a lot of Asian countries.

Like, we do not start from the same place at all.

Americans start from a straight ‘rights as side constraints’ perspective. And thats what the constitution does.

In most ‘democratic socialist’ countries the thinking starts more like ‘yeh, we all have rights, but we all acknowledge there are circumstances and actions that supercede those rights’. We have some consequentialist/utilitarian balance to those rights.

Americans will defend protests outside abortion clinics to the death. Aussies will tell those cunts to fuck off and be perfectly happy limiting their rights to free speech by forcing them away from clinics.

Theres COUNTLESS examples of this from many different areas.

But basically, youre not in Oklahoma anymore, dont expect tornadoes.

11

u/Kind_Ordinary_8959 Mar 10 '23

No, in our country we understand that sometimes it's necessary for police to be able to conduct random searches with no prior cause. We understand that 60 seconds of inconvenience is totally fine if it's contributing to the greater good. We're not selfish assholes.

Obviously there is a limit to when, where and how often this is tolerated, but at a public event where several people were stabbed one year ago, we're not so selfish that we feel indignation over such a tiny measure.

It's this kind of attitude that helped us maintain lockdowns and COVID mandates during the virus' deadliest Delta mutation, whereas the American attitude of "don't tread on me" and all that other bollocks saw that country suffer over one million COVID-related deaths. When compared per capita, Australia had a fraction of the deaths.

-14

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

A fish doesn't know it is swimming in water. All good.

12

u/Kind_Ordinary_8959 Mar 10 '23

Ouch, you hurt my feelings. If we were in American I'd probably threaten you with the murder tube I own to make up for the fact I live in one of the most delusional countries in the world, where literally 1% of the country is doing actual slave labour, I have no rights (other than being allowed to own a murder tube), and my quality of life is measurably lower than nearly every other country in the Western world.

Phew, so glad the 50 or so times I was there was just for work. Urgh, such a shithole.

-18

u/Responsible-Newt-239 Mar 10 '23

Why are you getting your feelings hurt over a simple discussion about being stopped for crimes you didn't do. Do you really think all that is necessary?

-8

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

Way to conflate all kinds of unrelated things to make a point.

10

u/Kind_Ordinary_8959 Mar 10 '23 edited Mar 10 '23

If you can't see how this approach to society, and working for the greater good instead of "bUT MuH AmeNDmenTs!" are related, you're just as intelligent as the 46% of Americans who voted for a conman to run your country into the ground.

1

u/SticksDiesel Mar 10 '23

Just you wait until the people rise up against the dictator at the state election!!

Oh.

17

u/jazzdog100 Mar 10 '23

Americans can have a huge boner for their constitutional rights, sometimes to the point of reactionary lunacy. Freedom to search tends to be a problem if it's unrestricted.

But if you'd bothered to examine the laws governing police action in Victoria you'd know that this is a designated zone, that it has an express purpose, and is intended to minimise risk at public events. It's not unrestricted police action, nor a surveillance state gone wild, it's a regulated procedure that saves lives while inconveniencing little.

The only people who are against this are dumbfuck partygoers who are afraid of getting their stash confiscated, gang members and helpful idiots like yourself who treat every common sense state action as if democracy itself is crumbling down in front of our eyes.

Muttering the phrase "without probable cause" doesn't magically summon the fourth amendment and certainly doesn't constitute an argument.

Ultimately if you want to live here you're going to have to entertain the idea that state action isn't necessarily some crippling force attacking your god-given rights, or the beginnings of fascistic regime-building. Sometimes it makes sense to do so in moderation, case in point here.

18

u/taken_name Mar 10 '23

I think Americans should be the last ones to throw shade on situations like this, what with daily mass shootings, idiots storming the capitol and the general shit show happening every day. It's great to wake up in the morning here and realise some nutjob won't open fire on your kids at school.

15

u/According-Educator29 Mar 10 '23

Stay in America pls leave Australia alone

-11

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

So Australian! Thank you.

-2

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

No, that's wrong. Your comment is the opposite of what this awesome country represents. I love it here precisely because it is the opposite of you.

-18

u/Responsible-Newt-239 Mar 10 '23

No, Police states is exactly what America and Australia have become. It is hardly the opposite. The people are literally the exact same. Cars, sports, guns, booze and babes make Australia go round too

8

u/Kaelani_Wanderer Mar 10 '23

Got any evidence to support that claim? I don't see black guys casting worried looks at cops here in australia... And if I remember right our "record" for loss of life in a mass shooting is still the port Arthur (?) Massacre. And I think from memory that took place before I was born... I'm 30 next year.

1

u/Responsible-Newt-239 Mar 11 '23

If you knew any black dudes you wouldn't say such a stupid thing. Yeah actually I know a few who got broken forearms and ankles from getting stomped on and chicken winged

5

u/Pilk_ Mar 10 '23

The people that should care don't, because they aren't the ones that get profile by the cops and proactively searched.

3

u/jezb87 Mar 10 '23

If you're not doing anything wrong you shouldn't have anything to worry about nor reason not to comply with their requests. I've gotten off with a slap on the wrist many a time just from interacting with them in a honest and polite way.

-13

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

If you're not doing anything wrong and have nothing to hide, why close the door when you use the toilet? Why not allow the police to have a look in the name of public safety?

Do we have a right to privacy or not?

27

u/silkypuma Mar 10 '23

There’s a big difference between privacy (going to the toilet) and public safety. Knife crime causes a lot of harm.

-6

u/random111011 Mar 10 '23

What about doing coke in a toilet and being filmed?

8

u/shwaak Mar 10 '23

Have the cops ever asked to watch you take a shit?

14

u/thatshowitisisit Mar 10 '23

Stop using that stupid toilet analogy.

22

u/jezb87 Mar 10 '23

Terrible analogy aside, I'd rather they searched everyone and find the guy with the knife so I don't get stabbed.

-7

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

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u/1s8w2MILtway Mar 10 '23

Correct. I would prefer they look in my bag instead of getting stabbed.

-2

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

[deleted]

12

u/1s8w2MILtway Mar 10 '23

I feel like people like you get off on being contrary. It makes our streets safer and effects me very little to stop for thirty seconds for a bag check. I have no weapons in my bag so I’m on my way

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u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

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u/Chromagna Mar 10 '23

The irony of asking this after your previous comment which infers the binary. Amazing.

1

u/thatshowitisisit Mar 10 '23

You’re seriously asking this question when you just compared relinquishing some privacy to being happy with leaving the toilet door open?

20

u/jezb87 Mar 10 '23

You sound like one of those people that needlessly create drama instead of following a couple of basic instructions and then carrying on with their life. Then carry on about muh freedoms.

I never said I forfeit my right to privacy. You might not understand how perfectly American your reply is.

Also, I'm not an Aussie.

-2

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

If you were an Aussie, and this is key, you would better understand what a surveillance state this is.

It wasn't long ago I got asked to show my papers to the police to be given permission to walk down my street.

Leave me alone unless you have reason to believe I am doing something wrong.

It's either that or open my doors and go through my things, here is my phone, search it (Oz does this at airports), I have no right to privacy so go ahead and strip me bare.

You are entitled to be cool with that. I am not.

13

u/Turbulent_Ebb5669 Mar 10 '23

Now you're just talking out of your arse. I was born here and don't give a toss if the cops want to search me for weapons at crowded events.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

Read the fine print. The cops can search you for any reason if you are anywhere in the remote vicinity of an event, such as commuting to work on the train.

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u/its_not_you_maybe Mar 10 '23

So your argument rests solely on ‘in America I have these basic xyz rights’, right?

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u/1s8w2MILtway Mar 10 '23

Then leave? Literally no one is forcing you to stay here 😂

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u/iratonz Mar 10 '23

Nah didn't you hear, they have Stasi patrols outside their house checking papers. Best lie low for now

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u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

Australians make fun of Americans for being so stupid to say things like "America: love it or leave it." I guess such people can be found everywhere.

4

u/Kind_Ordinary_8959 Mar 10 '23

Some people just don't know how to analogy.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 10 '23

Give me a better one

-3

u/wendalpendal Mar 10 '23

I read all your comments in this section and think you've been scapegoated. A lot of people cant stand criticism of the country no matter how justifiable. There is a big " if you dont like it go back to where you came from" culture which is pretty racist. Dont let it get to you

2

u/Kaelani_Wanderer Mar 10 '23

Not really sure how going to the loo and getting scanned for potential illegal weapons are the same in your mind... That's like saying "Well you wouldn't try to pilot a passenger jet on your own, so why do you want to pilot a luxury cruise liner on your own? The two are completely interchangeable!"

The reason we close the door to the toilet is exactly BECAUSE we have the right to privacy. Doesn't stop people who have little to no respect for public property from trying to bust down said doors though... Ive seen many a toilet door lock where the bar that holds it closed is bent cos somebody tried to Spartan Kick the door down either for laughs or to actually get to somebody inside.

By the way your logic sounds, it kind of implies that you believe that you should leave your front door wide open except when you have to heat or cool your house, but still have it unlocked, and more to the point, that you shouldn't lock the door when you leave cos "do we really have the right to privacy?"

1

u/SticksDiesel Mar 10 '23

Somebody has been playing AC Odyssey.

2

u/Kaelani_Wanderer Mar 11 '23

If you mean me, nope xD Most recent one I played was like black flag lol

1

u/SticksDiesel Mar 11 '23

Sparta Kick is one of the better moves you can do in Odyssey - never really heard it mentioned outside the game

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u/Kaelani_Wanderer Mar 11 '23

Lol I know it as the Sparta kick cos of the scene from 300 xD

"This is MADNESS!" "Madness? No. This. Is. SPARTA!" Sparta Kick

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u/fearofthesky Mar 10 '23

Fucking police state garbage. When ppl go on about Labor being "progressive" I show them this shit

22

u/Moo_Kau Mar 10 '23

these laws where brought in early 90s from memory

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u/gotonyas Mar 10 '23

Hahaaha mate there’s been cops searching people at train stations since I was a kid, that’s 3 decades - and I’m almost certain we’ve had a few libs and labour governments in that time.

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u/fearofthesky Mar 10 '23

Didn't mean to imply the current gov bought this in. But they enthusiastically continue it, right? And the armed cops in riot gear menacing protests too. And more deaths in custody, sometimes due to our idiotic bail laws.

For a government that crowd about being progressive, they sure love some LNP style law and order politics.

6

u/Joe_F82 Mar 10 '23

If rather be safe than sorry

4

u/taken_name Mar 10 '23

You'd rather your friends and family stabbed I guess?

-2

u/GrizzlyGoober Mar 10 '23

That is a false dichotomy.

I’d rather not get molested at gunpoint for simply existing in a public area.

No reasonable suspicion? No warrant? Fuck off.

-6

u/lexxmelon Mar 10 '23

I think it is probably in relation to the drive by shooting on chapel st the other day

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u/PKMTrain Mar 10 '23

Control of weapons act designated area.

http://www.gazette.vic.gov.au/gazette/Gazettes2023/GG2023S100.pdf

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u/Independent_Pear_429 Mar 10 '23

I've seen that at St Albans

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u/KagariY Mar 11 '23

seen that in sunshine as well

2

u/Weedisforbananas Mar 10 '23

There could have been a large threat that none of the public knew about. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

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u/[deleted] Mar 11 '23

[deleted]

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u/giveitawaynever Mar 10 '23

Police academy grads. They take em into the city and pull up food delivery drivers, jay walkers and stuff like that.

2

u/Screambloodyleprosy More Death Metal Mar 11 '23

Wrong.

-13

u/DireMacrophage Mar 10 '23

I'd prefer them to focus more strongly on St Kilda. Say at 12 AM.

Why have men standing idle when you can spike-strip bikies carrying meth?

41

u/Person_of_interest_ Mar 10 '23

Because bikies keep to themselves and don't harass the general public. Meanwhile youth gangs loiter around the bottom end of swanston street picking fights with everyone that looks in their direction often leading to stabbings.

4

u/h1zchan Mar 10 '23

In the country where i came from there used to be a problem with men living near the border to Russia, who were said to have the habit of randomly getting into fights on the streets and sometimes stabbing each other. A typical altercation would start with the conversation "Yo what you glaring at?" "Glaring at you. What you gonna do about it?" "Imma shank you, that's what I'm gonna do" "Oh yeah? Try it I dare you"

I used to think this is a specific that-region-only problem, but it seems humans are the same world over afterall.

1

u/scrollbreak Mar 10 '23

They should get a job selling meth /s

1

u/BJVideoEditing Mar 13 '23 edited Mar 13 '23

Every year at Moomba, there are always stabbings mini brawls and fights that kick off at some point - usually on the first and last days, so I would assume they’re just trying to prevent it from happening this time round, or atleast minimise the possibility. Other variables that will make it hard to prevent issues is when participants of Moomba travel directly to the event via an Uber or something because it’s unlikely they’ll make checks at any of the entrances, which, in a way, leaves the police presents all over the city as kind of redundant.