By Casey Neill
Drag racing has run a 50-year Noble Park resident out of town.
Steven Piper is moving to Ararat for peace and quiet after battling with Friday night hoons for 15 years.
He said the noise from their post-midnight antics on Princes Highway between Dunblane and Corrigan roads was “horrific, absolutely horrific”.
“Last year we had up to 100 cars coming in groups,” he said.
“They do a U-turn at Dunblane Road and they go sideways.
“We’ve had a couple hit the gutter.
“They’re doing burnouts. This will go on until 4am.
“It’s absolutely deafening. You can’t sleep.
“I’ve called police so many times and they just don’t come out.
“They haven’t got the resources.”
Mr Piper said it appeared those involved had scanners in their vehicles because they left before police arrived and returned shortly after they had left.
“Because of this situation I’m going to sell up and take off,” he said.
“I love this town, but they take it over on Friday nights.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of residents around here. We’re just dumbfounded, we don’t know what to do.
“It’s a problem that nobody can fix.”
Mr Piper suggested that VicRoads install road safety cameras to catch speeding drivers.
“They’re going to make revenue out of it,” he said.
“They need a deterrent.”
He said that aside from the noise, “the bastards throw rubbish out their windows” and placed other motorists in danger.
Greater Dandenong Council’s acting city planning, design and amenity director Peter Shelton said the council wasn’t directly responsible for addressing hoon behaviour but worked closely with police and VicRoads on the issue.
“We are currently investigating options for a mobile CCTV solution that could be installed at hotspots like this to support police actions in addressing hoon behaviour,” he said.
“We anticipate that federal grant funding may become available during 2017 and, if successful, will enable council to facilitate a trial of such a solution.”
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police were aware of reports of hoon activity in the Noble Park area.
“Police have a zero tolerance in regard to intentional high-risk driving behaviour,” she said.
“Police are working with local government, VicRoads and local businesses to assist in reducing this type of driving behaviour.”
Police and the council urged anyone with information about the behaviour to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
