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New Year's flying fridges warning
BBC ^
| 10/31/2003
Posted on 12/31/2003 1:16:01 PM PST by 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.
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: celebratorygunfire; lookoutbelow; nye; southafrica
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Police often raid the notorious Hillbrow neighbourhood
I'm guessing Chris Shays won't be visiting Hillbrow this New Year's either.
To: BigWaveBetty
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.
To: BigWaveBetty
"Come on over by my house, mon en help me trow dis damn fridge out de window."
3
posted on
12/31/2003 1:22:54 PM PST
by
MistrX
To: Richard Kimball
Obvious, the garbage shoot is not big enough.
To: BigWaveBetty
New Years just won't be New Years without the fridges.
5
posted on
12/31/2003 1:24:14 PM PST
by
Conspiracy Guy
(Clues for sale, 20 % off through Jan 1, 2004. Don't be clueless, buy yours today.)
To: BigWaveBetty
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
6
posted on
12/31/2003 1:25:40 PM PST
by
WackyKat
To: BigWaveBetty
"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.
7
posted on
12/31/2003 1:31:21 PM PST
by
hotpotato
To: WackyKat
The dumbing down of America is almost complete. (sigh)
SM
8
posted on
12/31/2003 1:33:38 PM PST
by
Senormechanico
("Face piles of trials with smiles...it riles them to believe that you perceive the web they weave.)
To: All
Effala jig jig
9
posted on
12/31/2003 1:33:44 PM PST
by
conserv13
To: BigWaveBetty
From polo chuckers to
fridge chucking in a decade.
Thanks, Nelson Mandela...
10
posted on
12/31/2003 1:34:54 PM PST
by
gaijin
To: 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. 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.
11
posted on
12/31/2003 1:38:19 PM PST
by
IronJack
To: WackyKat
30 years ago they were firing guns in the air in Detroit, it goes way back...
12
posted on
12/31/2003 1:40:52 PM PST
by
dakine
To: WackyKat
Yeah, but in New Orleams, when they fire horizontally, they're aiming at someone specifically.
13
posted on
12/31/2003 1:56:03 PM PST
by
dangus
To: dangus
" 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
14
posted on
12/31/2003 2:16:39 PM PST
by
spokeshave
(TDIDS = The Dow is Driving Skyward = Tom Daschle is Deeply Saddened)
To: BigWaveBetty
"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!
15
posted on
12/31/2003 2:27:17 PM PST
by
PLMerite
("Unarmed, one can only flee from Evil. But Evil isn't overcome by fleeing from it." Jeff Cooper)
To: BigWaveBetty
Why am I suddenly reminded of SCTV's opening credits?
Okay, obscure TV reference....
Happy New Year!
regards,
To: BigWaveBetty
Risks and all aside throwing a fridge off a tall building sounds like a hoot !!!!
17
posted on
12/31/2003 2:40:22 PM PST
by
festus
To: BigWaveBetty
The animals are running the zoo. South Africa in a nutshell. At least they no longer have nukes.
18
posted on
12/31/2003 2:41:31 PM PST
by
montag813
(<br>Fire Tenet...Jail Novak...Rally 'Round Our President, Dammit!!!)
To: festus
You've been watching too much of the Red/Green Show.
19
posted on
12/31/2003 2:45:02 PM PST
by
Deguello
To: BigWaveBetty
Nothing like a fridge toss and baby rape to ring in the new year in Lord-of-the-Flies land.
20
posted on
12/31/2003 2:47:27 PM PST
by
dagnabbit
(Suport Amnesty 2007 ! - For illegals arriving after Bush's Amnesty - It's never too early to care.)
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