By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A PUBLIC meeting has been called over the blight of hoons carving tyre-track circlework into Dandenong North streets.
Rusmir Hadzic, who lives above his Sarajevo restaurant in Dunearn Street, is fuming over the high-revving and screeching rubber at night.
On a drive-around his surrounding streets, there are plenty of fishtail and burnout marks – fresh and old – including a circle of thick rubber at a Gladstone Road intersection.
A long weaving trail of tyre marks on Gladstone Road mock a nearby road safety camera warning sign.
Mr Hadzic has plenty of concerns to air at the meeting, which is due to be hosted by councillors John Kelly and Maria Sampey with Greater Dandenong police inspector Bruce Kitchen.
Mr Hadzic showed the Journal where he has found discarded needles, drug dealing, hard rubbish and graffiti tags in the nearby playground and alleyway.
He said there was a bloody noontime brawl in September between three young males wielding hammers, knives and machetes outside his shop.
When pressed for solutions, Mr Hadzic said he wanted CCTV surveillance and more police patrols.
Inspector Kitchen last week said tasking units and Highway Patrol would target hoon activity in the area surrounding Gladstone Road.
He warned hoons and other risk-taking drivers they faced stiff fines, demerit-points and having their vehicles impounded for 30 days.
“My message for hoon drivers is this – think of the consequences,” Inspector Kitchen said.
“Being caught by police having your car or motorbike taken away is the best possible scenario.
“Your second and worst option is to drive dangerously, crash and kill a friend, family member, yourself or other innocent road users.”
Inspector Kitchen said residents should immediately report hoon activity that is endangering lives to triple zero.
Cr Kelly, who instigated the meeting, said there were streets where “you can’t see the bitumen” for the skidmarks.
He said the council was at “the pointy end” of implementing by-laws that would allow police to fine groups of hoons gathering at night.
“I’m not saying that the council can fix the problem. It’s great Bruce is putting up his hand to speak to residents.”
Cr Sampey, fresh from surveying Mr Hadzic’s concerns, said it was a chance for residents to voice their public-safety issues.
She cited the vandals regularly damaging the boom gates at Jan Wilson Community Centre.
The public meeting is at 6.30pm on Wednesday at Uniting Church Hall, corner Holly and Birch avenues, Dandenong North.
