By ANEEKA SIMONIS
PROPOSALS to give police greater powers to disband “hoon” gatherings and disperse onlookers have been shelved by Cardinia Shire Council.
Members of Cardinia Highway Patrol made a recent appeal for council to introduce a local law that would allow police to disperse spectators from public gatherings such as hoon or drag races.
Under the proposed law large groups would be required to apply for a council permit to meet in a public space, helping police disperse crowds that often fuel dangerous hoon racing events, Cardinia Highway Patrol Sergeant Allen Inderwisch said.
“If there are no spectators, these people may leave the area. Hoon drivers tend to turn it up for the crowd and they can potentially lose control of their car and hit pedestrians,” he said.
Sgt Inderwisch said hoon gatherings tend to coincide with poor behaviour and public drunkenness which is an added risk to the community.
Popular hoon sites in the area include Pakenham’s industrial areas, particularly Bate Close off Bald Hill Road.
Police estimate attending local hoon gatherings at least once a month, down from previously being called out to patrol and break up hoon rallies once a week.
Despite nearby councils, including Casey Council already introducing the hoon law, and the City of Greater Dandenong discussing the proposal, Cardinia Shire Council has no immediate plans to introduce such laws.
“Council officers recently made preliminary investigations into the potential for a new local law regarding organised gatherings,” council’s manager for Development and Compliance Services Brett Jackson said.
“However, there are numerous powers and laws that could impact the issue of illegal and anti-social gatherings, and therefore council is not proposing to introduce a new local law regarding organised gatherings, at this stage.”
He said the possibility of a similar law will be considered in the future.
“Any law of this would need to be carefully balanced with the right of residents to participate in ordinary social gatherings,” Mr Jackson said.
In recent weeks, a pedestrian was nearly cleaned up by a hoon driver attempting to flee an industrial area that he filled with thick, heavy smoke after doing several dangerous burnouts.
CCTV footage shows a man walking toward the out of control car which nearly hits him as it makes a hasty exit from Hogan Court in Pakenham at 1.40pm on Saturday 25 April.
“This lack of full control is shown as the accused vehicle exited the thick cloud of smoke on the incorrect side of the road, clipping the gutter with the driver’s side of the car and narrowly missed (the man),” Cardinia Highway Patrol Sergeant Rob Atkinson said.
Children were also nearby during the incident which occurred during business hours.
The man was later located by police who impounded his car and issued summons for him to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later
Sgt Atkinson cautioned drivers from driving recklessly for their and the community’s safety.
“Even if police are not around we still have means of tracking you down and prosecuting for this dangerous driving,” he said.
The council rejection comes weeks after it revealed plans to enhance nightlife in Pakenham industrial areas.
Sgt Atkinson said there might be greater risks associated with hoon behaviour in industrial areas if more people, particularly under the influence of alcohol, were present.
However, he also suggested more people in industrial sites may discourage hoons from frequenting the areas.
Anti-hooning legislation introduced in Victoria in 2006 gave police the power to impound vehicles yet Cardinia police remain limited in their ability to move spectators from hoon gatherings.
Police advise people who witness hoon behaviour to report their registration and vehicles details to police immediately.
Read more about Cardinia Shire Council’s plans to introduce nightlife in local industrial areas on Page 5.
