I received a fine of $104 in today’s mail for ‘not lock doors, secure windows (vehicle unattended)’.

This ‘offence’ occurred in the main street of Mullumbimby last Saturday when I bought the papers with the usual friendly locals also doing their shopping.

In our town ,as far as I know, nobody locks their vehicles and I never have felt that I needed to do so .

Neither did I have any idea that it was illegal but my fine from ‘The Commissioner of Police, Brunswick Heads Police’ seems to indicate that it is an offence.

Naturally I am upset about this and the fine is a big one but I am wondering how many others were fined on Saturday and if we can plead genuine ignorance and assure The Commissioner that we feel that there is absolutely no need to lock our cars in our safe and benevolent town and this is surely a cause for celebration!

I am not suggesting that we deserve special dispensation why issue a fine like this at all??

Perhaps the rumours about a new policeman busying himself with an unnecessary revenue collection agenda is true after all and perhaps he can instead try to catch those mad drivers speeding on our appalling roads where real harm can occur.

I would love to see a police presence on traffic safety patrol.

Carole Gamble, Mullumbimby Creek