Hoons tearing up south’s back roads
Police are disappointed in the behaviour of people driving dangerously on some of Invercargill’s isolated back roads.
Invercargill City Council parks manager Michele Frey acknowledged there was a problem with people driving inappropriately near Oreti Beach and Sandy Point.
The council no longer has a full-time ranger in the area, but a council ranger visits once a day.
Frey said Fosbender Park, blanketed with snake-like tyre marks, was a particular hot spot. The council installed bollards in the area, but some had been pulled out or damaged, Frey said.
‘‘Where the bollards have been removed, we have installed concrete blocks.’’
The council would be putting in reflective ‘‘No Off Roading’’ signs and extra barriers.
Frey said surveillance cameras in problem areas had identified some offenders and that information was given to police.
The police serious crash unit is investigating an incident earlier this month where a 20-year-old man was airlifted to Christchurch Hospital after he rolled his car at Daffodil Bay about 3.30am. Police inspector Jon Bisset, of Invercargill, said ‘‘we are aware there has been some issues in or around this location ... We are always sad to see people who chose to drive in a manner that puts themselves and others at risk. This is a community-orientated location that everyone should feel save to visit and utilise,’’ Bisset said.
One resident of the area said she was taking bags full of cans and stubbies to the Invercargill police station after burnout sessions. ‘‘This is the worst it’s been in 30 years,’’ she said.