By Cameron Weston
AMEETINGbetween local police and council representatives was called last week to discuss the problem of hoons and vandalism in coastal areas of Altona Meadows.
Trail bike riders and vandals have been wreaking havoc in the Cheetham Wetlands and Truganina Explosives Reserve area recently, striking fear into other park users and damaging the world heritage-listed coastal environment.
Hobsons Bay mayor Leigh Hardinge called the meeting with representatives from the City of Wyndham, Sergeant David Hickson from the Werribee Traffic Management Unit and Inspector Mick Millen from Altona North Police on Monday of last week.
Both councils jointly fund a police trail bike patrol program specifically designed to stop vandalism and illegal trail bike riding in the area.
“There have been things going on in that neck of the woods and I wanted an update as to where the police were at and what results had been gained,” Cr Hardinge said.
He said police advised him that they had intercepted 15 offenders and handed out 35 infringement notices already this year.
“Unfortunately, every couple of years you get the next generation of youngsters who are into the mini bikes and trail bikes … not all of them realise the huge safety risks they are taking.
“It is a very serious problem.”
Altona North’s Inspector Millen said that while some tickets had been handed out, it would be extremely tough for police to stamp out the problem completely.
“It’s difficult to police … there have been some difficulties in having properly trained members who can go to these areas,” Insp Millen said.
“We’re doing the best we can but it is a difficult area to police and we can’t be there all the time.
“But we think we have resolved those difficulties and we are beginning to attack the problem again. We have given it some attention this month and that is going to continue.”
While refusing to draw a direct link between vandalism and illegal trail bike riders, Insp Millen hinted that many of the offenders were young males, and that being caught riding a trail bike illegally could make life difficult in the future.
“Some of these offenders need to understand that they can accumulate demerit points for some offences … and they may be disqualified from obtaining a learner’s permit when they become eligible.”
Insp Millen also urged local parents to “stand up and take some responsibility for their children on these bikes”.
“This is a world heritage listed area and the damage these bikes do and the danger they pose to pedestrians in the area is just unacceptable,” he said.
