By CASEY NEILL
POLICE want new by-laws to curb hooning in Greater Dandenong’s industrial areas.
Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol’s Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts said he had been working with the City of Greater Dandenong to target groups gathering at night, particularly in Dandenong South.
“The council is looking at introducing by-laws to prohibit this activity in industrial areas,” he said.
“If they haven’t got any reason to be there, they’ll be subject to council by-law fines.
“Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. They’re only down there for one reason.
“It’s going to end badly one of these nights.”
Sen Sgt Roberts said police had the authority to enforce by-laws and the council would put the proposal to the public.
“They’re probably looking at somewhere around August to September, in time for the summer period,” he said.
“We need to look at this as an all-of-community response.”
Sen Sgt Roberts said gatherings of “a couple of hundred cars” in Dandenong South were common and burnouts and street racing ensued.
“The factory owners have had enough,” he said.
“They’ve got CCTV shooting out of their factories.
“These people need to know that in this day and age, there is a proliferation of surveillance devices.
“We’ll be making use of them.”
He said the behaviour was drawing “precious resources” away from where they were needed most.
“It means our services are not going to be available at high trauma times,” he said.
The by-laws would be in addition to operations with marked and unmarked police cars, hidden cameras, vehicle impound measures and more.
Sen Sgt Roberts urged anyone who found out about organised hoon meetings to inform police and to report any hoon activity they witnessed.
“If anyone has video footage, we’re only too happy to investigate it,” he said.
“We can flush these people out of there.”
The council’s city planning, design and amenity director Jody Bosman said council officers were constantly monitoring and evaluating local laws to ensure they met community expectations.
“When changes are formally being considered, council has an obligation to consult with the community before making any decisions,” he said.
“Council is not currently considering any such changes.”
