A Facebook page notifying Werribee residents of booze buses and speed cameras could be having a positive effect, police say.
Although senior police initially criticised the page for warning irresponsible drivers of operations, Acting Senior Sergeant Damien Madden said it was also getting the force’s message out to the public.
The Westgate road policing officer said if the public knew there were speed cameras operating in different locations, it discouraged speeding.
In June, when police slammed the controversial Facebook page for alerting motorists of police operations, it had about 3200 members.
It now has more than 10,380 “likes” from subscribers, compared to just over 1400 for Werribee police’s official “Eyewatch” page.
Recent posts have revealed the locations of speed cameras, including pictures of booze buses and unmarked police vehicles on patrol.
Some subscribers are supporting police, with one recently replying to a post about a divisional van spotted in a Wyndham suburb by saying: “The more they drive around here the better – too many dickheads think it’s a race circuit around here.’’
Acting Senior Sergeant Madden said the page’s users appeared to be “fixated” on police operations. “If they are fixated on police operations, they are picking up on Victoria Police messages,” he said.
“It is having the desired effect; speed cameras encourage people to slow down and although it would better if people did this voluntarily, it [the page] sends a message to them to slow down.”
Operation Break Up, which targets motorists using mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts, ends on Sunday. \
