New Year's flying fridges warning

BBC ^ | 10/31/2003

[BigWaveBetty]

South African police will crack down hard on anybody throwing old fridges from high-rise buildings during the New Year's holiday, they say.

Police and soldiers are on patrol in Johannesburg's notorious Hillbrow suburb, famous for the practice.

Throwing heavy objects from balconies and firing guns have become something of a bad "New Year's institution," said police Inspector Kriben Naidoo.

Revellers have been killed in the past after being hit by stray bullets.

It is not clear why Hillbrow residents have taken to seeing in the New Year by throwing objects such as fridges, microwave ovens, beds, rubbish bins and condoms out of their windows.

Some also aim their New Year fireworks horizontally, so they go from one high-rise apartment into another.

Police wear helmets and bullet-proof vests when on duty on New Year's Eve, reports AFP news agency.

Emergency centre

"We have given out thousands of pamphlets pleading with people not to throw objects, including things like refrigerators, from their balconies, as well as asking people not to fire celebratory shots in the air," said Inspector Naidoo.

He said armoured vehicles would be stationed throughout Hillbrow and the police would raid any buildings where there were problems.

A private medical services spokesperson said doctors and paramedics would be deployed in Hillbrow and an emergency centre had been set up at a fire station to deal with injuries.

"We will have at least four doctors and more than 20 medical personnel working around the clock in a combined effort with provincial health authorities," said Mandy Toubkin.

[BigWaveBetty]

Police often raid the notorious Hillbrow neighbourhood

I'm guessing Chris Shays won't be visiting Hillbrow this New Year's either.

[Richard Kimball]

It is not clear why Hillbrow residents have taken to seeing in the New Year by throwing objects such as fridges, microwave ovens, beds, rubbish bins and condoms out of their windows.

Yes it is. They have no respect for human life.

[MistrX]

"Come on over by my house, mon en help me trow dis damn fridge out de window."

[Quick Shot]

Obvious, the garbage shoot is not big enough.

[Conspiracy Guy]

New Years just won't be New Years without the fridges.

[WackyKat]

They fire guns in the air in New Orleans, too.

A few years ago, a tourist was killed by a falling bullet

The Third World is no longer just in the Third World

[hotpotato]

"We have given out thousands of pamphlets pleading with people not to throw objects, including things like refrigerators, from their balconies, as well as asking people not to fire celebratory shots in the air," said Inspector Naidoo.

Well, for heaven's sake!! No wonder it's out of control. Police "asking" and "pleading" with the citizens not to behave like a bunch of thugs??? Seems like in that part of the world you either get a hammer or wet noodle.

[Senormechanico]

The dumbing down of America is almost complete. (sigh)

SM

[conserv13]

Effala jig jig

[gaijin]

From polo chuckers to fridge chucking in a decade.

Thanks, Nelson Mandela...

[IronJack]

South African police will crack down hard on anybody throwing old fridges from high-rise buildings during the New Year's holiday, they say.

It's about time somebody did something about these "Frigidaire hailstorms."

Police and soldiers are on patrol in Johannesburg's notorious Hillbrow suburb, famous for the practice.

Some districts are known for their art, some for their bohemian atmosphere, some for their ethnic flavor. Hillbrow is known for dropping ice boxes out of 18th-story windows. Their Chamber of Commerce must be very proud.

Throwing heavy objects from balconies and firing guns have become something of a bad "New Year's institution," said police Inspector Kriben Naidoo.

And you thought the tradition was limited to "Auld Lang Syne" and a kiss at midnight?

It is not clear why Hillbrow residents have taken to seeing in the New Year by throwing objects such as fridges, microwave ovens, beds, rubbish bins and condoms out of their windows.

No. No, it is not clear at all. This may well qualify as the last understatement of 2003.

[dakine]

30 years ago they were firing guns in the air in Detroit, it goes way back...

[dangus]

Yeah, but in New Orleams, when they fire horizontally, they're aiming at someone specifically.

[spokeshave]

" Throwing heavy objects from balconies and firing guns have become something of a bad "New Year's institution," said police Inspector Kriben Naidoo."

Heavy object....a condom....?

Either an elephant condom or something is mutating

[PLMerite]

"Some also aim their New Year fireworks horizontally, so they go from one high-rise apartment into another."

Cool! I'm keeping a list of stupid things to put in a movie one day; this is a keeper!

[Thunder 6]

Why am I suddenly reminded of SCTV's opening credits?

Okay, obscure TV reference....

Happy New Year!

regards,

[festus]

Risks and all aside throwing a fridge off a tall building sounds like a hoot !!!!

[montag813]

The animals are running the zoo. South Africa in a nutshell. At least they no longer have nukes.

[Deguello]

You've been watching too much of the Red/Green Show.

[dagnabbit]

Nothing like a fridge toss and baby rape to ring in the new year in Lord-of-the-Flies land.