<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For the first time, South Australian police have been granted the power to conduct random weapons searches at the annual schoolies festival in Victor Harbor. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The move comes as more than 3500 school leavers prepare to converge on the coastal town this weekend. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This year's festival has been declared a public event, enabling police to search individuals within the designated area using metal detection devices.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hannah-mcguire-killer-lachlan-young-mum-debbie-statement/2781e34e-90ac-4d1a-9fa1-76e504298d6e"><strong><span>Hannah McGuire's mum slams 'out-of-proportion' sentence handed to her killer</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This is going to help us enhance the public safety in the environment," Superintendent Joanna Howard said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Despite the new security protocols, organisers are focusing on providing a positive experience for the school leavers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This weekend we are well prepared for, and we're bringing three unique nights of entertainment and experience for our young people," Nigel Knowles from Encounter Youth said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/police-expanded-powers-south-australia-schoolies/2e98ea61-e08b-46f4-b1e4-8d9475ea71d2" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/tropical-cyclone-fina-forms-off-northern-australia/0f75ced2-f1e6-4274-b200-b40b8d939bd0"><strong><span>Tropical Cyclone Fina intensifying faster than expected, forecasters warn</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Organisers have increased the availability of free buses to the festival, extending services from Adelaide to about a dozen regional locations. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Shuttle buses will also operate within the Victor Harbor area throughout the three-day event. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We do approximately 20,000 boardings over this weekend so there's really no reason for our young people to have to use their cars," Knowles said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But concerns have been raised over the condition of beaches in the area, with a toxic algal bloom still ravaging South Australia's coastline.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Authorities say it's safe to swim for now, but an update will be provided later in the week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>