By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
Businessman takes camera law enforcement into his own hands…
AFTER suffering 13 years of unfettered hooning and burglaries at a Keysborough industrial estate, business owner James Kerr III has “had a gutful”.
Mr Kerr, of Red Roo Commercial Environmental Equipment, is installing his own light poles and high-quality CCTV in an attempt to catch the hoons.
He hopes after years of fruitless lobbying for Greater Dandenong Council action, the council will install lighting at the adjacent Keysborough Avenue roundabout.
Ultimately, his hope is for a comprehensive CCTV and lighting security system guarding the entire estate.
“We don’t want to be on all different CCTV systems.
“If we can get one good system, that would be the way to go.
“The industrial estate needs to be well lit and then give the CCTV data to the police.
“Here you go, copper, here’s their registration plate and here’s them doing it.
“These hoons are tearing up our properties and they don’t pay a cent in rates.”
Mr Kerr and his neighbours’ businesses were offline for three days after a car smashed a telephone exchange roadside hub, a road sign and a tree on 11 October.
The resultant black-out of internet and phone services cost the businesses thousands of dollars in lost trade and overtime pay as it caught up with orders.
Lyppard Australia was burgled while its security system was offline and was unable to service its usual 500 orders a day because the phones and internet were down.
Chadwick Merchandising Services lost about 200 inquiries a day.
Three times in recent years, the water main outside its warehouse has been damaged by cars sliding off the boulevard’s sweeping bend.
Dean Levey, director of Katcon Australia, has observed drivers and cars congregating in his undercover car park as early as 5am.
Mr Kerr said his complaints and “numerous emails” over the past five years to “under-resourced” police and the council had made little difference.
“They come mainly when it rains. The roundabouts don’t stop them; they encourage them. With the soft gutters, it’s an ideal circuit.”
About 15 fledgling trees have been flattened – costing the council about $400 each to replace.
Mr Kerr raised the issue at last week’s council meeting.
As a significant ratepayer, he believes he is entitled to more decisive council action.
Greater Dandenong engineering services director Bruce Rendall ruled out speed humps, which were unsuitable for the estate’s heavy haulage traffic.
A Greater Dandenong spokesman later said the council would propose ’No Stopping’ parking restrictions at night, which gave police powers to move away congregating hoons.
“Consultation with adjacent businesses will be undertaken to ensure the times of operation do not adversely affect business operations.”
He said the council would consider other options after consulting local businesses.
Dob in a hoon, urge police. Page 3.
