Bayside Council hoon cameras target speeding, jetskis and graffiti

Smile – you’re on hoon cam! Speeding hoons, graffiti taggers and jetski hooligans should think twice before getting up to mischief this summer – because like Big Brother, a Sydney council will be watching.

Speeding hoons, taggers and jetski riders are firmly in a Sydney council’s crosshairs as it installs a hoon cam to detect anti-social behaviour.

In an Australian first, Bayside Council in Sydney’s south will crack down on anti-social behaviour on the Botany Bay foreshore with the use of licence plate recognition software.

The council first used sophisticated static cameras installed on vehicles to issue parking infringements – but now they will also capture speeding hoons, jetski riders coming in too close to shore and graffiti taggers.

The static cameras read and record licence plates so the council can issue parking fines – and now they will also refer relevant intel on speeding drivers, jetski hoons and taggers to police who can lay criminal charges where applicable.

Mayor Bill Saravinovski previously said the hoon cam was great news for residents concerned about illegal anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhood.

“Hoons are destroying the reputation of our beautiful foreshore and destroying the quality of life for its residents and local businesses,” Cr Saravinovski said.

“Enough is enough – the technology to catch the culprits is now available and we are going to use it.”

Bayside Council’s hoon cam – licence plate recognition technology that can catch people speeding, doing graffiti and bringing their jetskis in too close to the foreshore.

The first static cameras will be strategically placed on Vanston Pde in Sandringham and Ida St in Sans Souci.

The notorious hooning hot spot of Bay St in Brighton-Le-Sands and other locations will also get cameras this summer and all trial sites will be monitored.

A council spokesman confirmed the cameras have signs to alert the public to their presence and while council rangers can issue certain fines, police will take carriage of other matters.

“License Plate Recognition technology identifies the vehicle owner and the video evidence is supplied to local police,” the spokesman said.

“During this trial Licence Plate Recognition technology allows the council to target hooning and illegal parking, but the technology will be rolled out to target all types of anti-social behaviour along the foreshore including graffiti and even jetskis coming too close to shore.”

Bayside mayor Bill Saravinovski.

The spokesman said St George Police Area Command had already “taken successful action” with “dangerous drivers being held to account”.

The cameras were first trialled last summer at the suggestion of Deputy Mayor James McDonald.

“The cameras the council are installing is the latest technology, and the artificial intelligence behind the cameras is world class,” Cr Saravinovksi said.

“We have seen a significant reduction in the number of incident reports from staff and complaints from the community.”