Greater Dandenong: How police are cracking down on hoons, dangerous driving
Mobile cameras are being deployed in Melbourne’s southeast to target hoons and reckless driving. Here’s how police are putting dangerous drivers on notice.
South East
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Mobile cameras are being used to target hoons and reckless drivers in Melbourne’s southeast.
The cameras, which are deployed by Victoria Police in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia as part of Operation Sumatra, include number plate recognition, night vision and allow police to respond live to incidents.
The cameras also store data and have the ability to shoot in all four directions.
Greater Dandenong Acting Inspecting Dean Grande said the technology had been used in other states, but not broadly in Victoria.
“We had the opportunity to obtain this equipment and work collaboratively with local councils to focus on community safety,” Acting Insp Grande said.
He said the mobile cameras can be used in locations where there are large gatherings and public events.
“They’re overt, disruptive and they put a strong focus on those doing the wrong thing, so they know they’ll be held to account.
“We’ve used them in industrial estates and that’s had a significant effect in reducing that hoon behaviour and the larger gatherings of more than 200 people.”
Acting Insp Grande said police were working hard to crackdown on dangerous hoon driving.
“The cameras put this kind of behaviour on notice, there is another opportunity for them to be identified and we will cease cars.
“There’s been cars that are loaded with passengers, with some of them hanging out by their waists doing doughnuts.
“It’s only a matter of time before someone gets flipped out of a car loses control and strikes the crowd.”
He said the emergence of social media had sparked hoons to promote their dangerous driving.
“With the emergence of social media and it happens worldwide, it gives these people their 10 minutes of notoriety, they start up their hoon groups, arrange meetings and this occurs across the state.
“There’s a big difference between car enthusiasts that just want to meet up and talk about their cars but don’t engage in poor practice on the roads.”
Acting Insp Grande said he encouraged businesses and the community to call triple-0 if they see dangerous road behaviour.
“This is best for an immediate response, rather than calling your local police station.
“We’re working with councils and we want to let the community know that we are trying to increase that capability of those cameras right across all three police service areas.”
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