Police to target hoon jet skiers and troublemakers across beaches on Australia Day weekend
Police will target rogue jet skiers in a crackdown over the Australia Day weekend as officers rollout St Kilda-style policing operations in several Melbourne beach towns. Here’s where they’ll be.
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EXCLUSIVE: Police will target rogue jet skiers in a crackdown over the Australia Day weekend as officers rollout St Kilda-style policing operations in beach towns on the Mornington Peninsula.
Water Police will patrol Port Phillip Bay and officers will be used as spotters on land to target dangerous behaviour.
So far this summer police have issued 142 infringement notices to people committing offences on personal watercraft.
PORT PHILLIP BAY JET SKI HOONS FLOUTING LAWS
CALL FOR JET SKI BAN ON SOUTHERN PENINSULA
JET SKIERS AND SWIMMERS BATTLE LINGERS ON
But Southern Metropolitan Region Commander Libby Murphy told the Herald Sun dangerous jet ski riders could face prison if they go too far.
“People underestimate the risk that jet skis actually have for people in the water,” Cdr Murphy said.
“They are powerful machines capable of high speeds like a motor vehicle on the road.
“People need to understand we will have zero tolerance for people hooning and anyone riding a jet ski in a swimming only area or speeding in low speed zones.”
Alcohol bans will also be in place on beaches across the Mornington Peninsula, with police saying they are an invaluable tool in helping prevent trouble.
The St Kilda foreshore alcohol ban has been heralded a roaring success in recent weeks.
Anyone caught carrying an open bottle of alcohol can be hit with a $200 fine.
Mornington Peninsula residents have complained about jet ski hoons in the past.
Last August Rye Community Group Alliance said jet ski hoons, particularly around Rye Pier, were a “disaster waiting to happen”.
Jet ski hoons have also been spotted around Safety Beach.
“We have provisions for hooning fines of up to $806 for poor behaviour,” Cdr Murphy told the Herald Sun.
If police see extreme hooning they will consider charging jet ski riders with conduct endangering life, which carries a prison sentence.
“We will be active and we will act if we see poor behaviour,” Cdr Murphy said.
“People will be held accountable for their actions.”
To help combat any rowdy behaviour on the beaches, local officers will be supported by specialist units including the Operations Response Unit, the Mounted Branch and Transit Safety Division.
“We have some of the best beaches in Australia and the heat and weather will bring people here,” Cdr Murphy said.
“We want people to be safe and happy and to enjoy the area. If people behave poorly and break the law they will be held to account and there will be consequences.”