Police round up 50 hoons
Special operation in response to deluge of public complaints
MORE than 100 traffic infringements have been issued in the CBD, The Strand and North Ward area in the past two months, about half of them for hoon-related offences, police have revealed.
Police released the results of the crackdown after a petition signed by about 100 people was tabled at Townsville City Council this week complaining about hoons disrupting the peace and damaging property at all hours of the night.
Residents say they are constantly subjected to vehicle hooning, excessive vehicle speeds and vehicle noise.
Townsville Police District Inspector Damien Crosby said the station commenced a dedicated operation targeting traffic-related offences and hooning in the CBD, The Strand and North Ward area on August 28.
Inspector Crosby said that it would continue into the
Christmas holiday period with a variety of enforcement days to complement the operation.
“We would like to thank the public for the volume of information they have provided,” he said. “That information and support has been instrumental in achieving these enforcement outcomes.
“The Strand and Jezzine Barracks are two of the premier public spaces in our city and hooning and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Inspector Crosby said 56 specific traffic complaints from members of the public had been addressed and tailored enforcement action taken.
On the results to date, he said there had been 45 hooning-related offences prosecuted, 14 defect notices issued, 45 other traffic-related offences prosecuted and two vehicles immobilised.
Senior Constable Scott Murphy said number plates had been confiscated from the cars of two motorists after repeat offending, immobilising the vehicles for 90 days.
“I have noticed a downturn (in offending) since the start of the operation and to now,” Senior Constable Murphy said.
Petitioner David Wise said he appreciated the police actions but wanted the council to consider the petition’s request to: review speed limits in North Ward and surrounding areas; install traffic controls and speed cameras; and erect boom gates at the entrance to Jezzine Barracks and apply a curfew for access.
Mr Wise said hoons congregating at Jezzine Barracks was a particular problem, as was speeding on Howitt St.