HUNDREDS of snow chasers who descended on Oberon over the weekend have drawn an angry rebuke from police for breaching social distancing measures and showing a lack of respect for the local community.
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Chifley Police District officers issued more than 80 infringement notices for parking and driving offences, including fines for parking in driveways, parking in disabled car spots, parking in no parking areas, double parking and failing to reverse park.
Sergeant Al John said other infringements included negligent driving offences where drivers failed to drive to the conditions.
In one incident, a couple with an eight-month-old baby became stuck after their car ran off the road and, in another, a local police officer narrowly avoided a head-on collision in a private vehicle when an oncoming driver lost control on the ice on Edith Road and crossed to the wrong side.
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"Vehicles ran off the road and narrowly missed other traffic," Sgt John said.
"Many warnings were also issued for failing to comply with social distancing, particularly while waiting for food at local businesses with crowds co-operating with police requests when required.
"Unfortunately, it seems in several reported instances that that co-operation disappeared when the police moved on."
Sgt John said police were also aware of "hoons" driving on the showground and local parks, intentionally ripping up the grass and "showing no concern for other visitors".
"Many families were in close proximity to where some of the behaviour was displayed creating a high level of danger to the families as well as the irresponsible drivers," he said.
"Police have been provided with video footage captured on mobile phones and are in the process of following up with those inquiries to identify the owners or drivers of those vehicles."
Police have also received reports of visitors entering private property to play in the snow, with some becoming abusive when asked to leave.
"Local people have indicated that the high influx of people and vehicles has not been seen before in previous winters and with no restrictions on travel, police were powerless to stop the constant flow into our town," Sgt John said.
"Police would like to thank the local communities for their co-operation prior to and during the weekend and are very pleased to say that the local people behaved very well in the face of some very rude and frustrating behaviour."
Sgt John said he was happy to hear from any Oberon locals who had concerns about the weekend incidents. They can contact him at Oberon police station on 6336 1000.
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