NT: NT police to use breath tests to collect for fire victims

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2009
NT: NT police to use breath tests to collect for fire victims

DARWIN, Feb 13 AAP - Police will be asking Northern Territory motorists to hand over
cash for bushfire victims at random breath testing sites this weekend.

NT Police Darwin Regional Commander Rob Kendrick said extra officers had been rostered
on for Friday night's AFL game in Darwin but it was relocated to Melbourne earlier this
week as a fundraiser.

Rather than cancel the shifts, NT police have decided to do their bit for Victoria's
bushfire victims.

"This is taking high visibility RBTs to a whole new level," Commander Kendrick said.

The RBT stations will have additional police volunteering their time as Red Cross collectors
for the Victorian Bushfires Appeal.

"As well as the normal NT police and their vehicles, there will be some additional
volunteer members as Red Cross collectors with their collection buckets," Commander Kendrick
said.

More than 30 employees from NT police, firefighters and emergency services have also
volunteered their time to trawl licensed premises in Darwin, Palmerston and rural areas.

"(They'll) be offering breath tests from 5pm onwards in return for a gold coin or two,"

Commander Kendrick said.

"People can blow into the breath testing machine for their reading, then have the option
to donate also.

"People always like a go at blowing into the breath testing machine and it's frightening
how often they are alarmed at how high the reading is."

Commander Kendrick said NT police were thinking of the victims of the bushfires.

"Anything that can be done to assist the bushfire victims will be done," he said.

AAP tr/it/tnf

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC NT

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