By Alesha Capone
Wyndham council may conduct a review of its local laws to help crackdown on hoon behaviour.
Minutes from the council’s Community Safety portfolio meetings show that in March, council representatives discussed local laws that address bystanders to hooning with the Westgate Highway Patrol.
In February, the council representatives and police discussed hoon prevention by-laws.
The council’s director of city operations, Stephen Thorpe, said there were no local laws relating specifically to “hoon spectators” or owning a vehicle at a “hoon event” in Wyndham.
“Council is working with Victoria Police to identify the best way of managing hoon behaviour in Wyndham, and this potentially includes a review of existing local laws,” he said.
“Both agencies are keen to address hoon behaviour in Wyndham and as a result, we continue to positively explore ways in which we can address this issue.
“The safety of all road users, including motorists and pedestrians, is always paramount in these discussions.”
Crime statistics released this month show that Wyndham police impounded the sixth-highest amount of vehicles in the state across a nine-year period.
Between 2011 and 2020, police impounded 2424 vehicles in Wyndham.
The only municipalities to place higher on the list were Hume (4865 impounds), Brimbank (4322 impounds), Greater Dandenong (3553 impounds), Frankston (3156 impounds) and Casey (2778 impounds).
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police were “always concerned with people taking part in high-risk behaviour which can harm themselves or others”.
“Victoria Police regularly acts on information received regarding hoon offences,” the spokesperson said.
“Police remain committed to removing dangerous and hoon drivers from the state’s roads, with thousands of vehicles impounded for hoon and dangerous driving offences each year.
“Police continually run operations targeting known hoon areas and hoon offenders, using both overt and covert tactics.”
Anyone with information regarding dangerous driver behaviour is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
If anyone witnesses hoon behaviour that is putting lives at risk or views any hoon videos online, should contact their local police station.
