Rollingstone police issue 22 fines as blitz hits the beach
A weekend blitz by police targeting illegal, and anti-social behaviour by beach goers has ended with some people still not getting the message.
Townsville
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A weekend blitz by police targeting illegal, and anti-social behaviour by beach goers has ended with some people still not getting the message.
On a busy weekend at Toomulla Beach, police estimated close to 300 people were tearing up the 5km stretch on motorbikes, quads and buggies.
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The “recipe for disaster” prompted the mounting of an operation, which took place over the weekend, and extended to areas around Clements State Forest.
Officer in charge at Rollingstone police station Tony Jacobs said the increased presence resulted in a total of 22 fines issued.
These included possession of cannabis, drug driving, drink driving, speeding, driving with no helmet, driving an unregistered vehicle, and having loose articles in the rear of a vehicle.
“The good thing was people were wearing seatbelts and wearing helmets,” Sgt Jones said. “Most people are really accepting of why we’re doing this because they don’t want people driving around drunk either. “If that means we have to limit the amount of people in those areas then that’s what we have to consider and do so safely.”
Sgt Jones said he didn’t want to have to be the fun police and it was up to people to take responsibility for ensuring they’re following road safety rules, as well as respecting the natural environment by keeping it clean.
“If you want to use quad bikes go and get them registered and do it properly,” Sgt Jones said.
“I was very happy with the way people behaved, on the whole people’s behaviour was fantastic and really that’s the thing we need to see happen all the time.
“We want families to come and enjoy these areas and leave them the way you found them.”
Sgt Jones said there would be an ongoing police presence in the area focused on road safety.
Born and bred in North Queensland, Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said he grew up riding motor bikes and enjoying all that the outdoor offers but he could not condone ongoing anti-social behaviour that led to a crackdown by authorities.
“I’m the first person to say go out there and have some fun but it needs to be in such a manner that residents aren’t complaining they’ve had their gardens torn up, or rubbish left all over the place.
“We want it so mums and dads can go there with their kids and throw a line in without someone tearing past them and potentially hurting or killing one of their children.
“It’s a very fine line and we need to curb some of this behaviour but if we see a death or a major injury it’s going to be very hard to win the debate of keeping these beaches open.”
Originally published as Rollingstone police issue 22 fines as blitz hits the beach