Tackling hoons and illegal behaviour

Wyndham City and Victoria Police are working together to tackle illegal and inappropriate behaviour at Laverton North’s Lawrie Emmins Reserve.

The anti-social behaviour includes illegal riding, hooning and vehicle dumping which is negatively impacting the experience of residents who use the 70-hectare space for leisurely activities.

To secure the site, Wyndham City has installed concrete barriers as well as a number of six-meter J Hook Jersey Barriers. Additionally, 78 meters of large rocks have been installed along the Archery Club fence line and 82 meters of large rocks line the fence from the Archery Club to the Cricket Club.

Permitted and non-permitted signs have been added to existing signage in Lawrie Emmins Reserve to further remind visitors of prohibited behaviours.

CCTV has also been installed to monitor the reserve entrance and the Archery Club.

Wyndham City’s Community Safety portfolio holder Cr Susan McIntyre said: “The inappropriate and illegal behaviour at Lawrie Emmins Reserve is dangerous and causes damage to such an expansive and significant outdoor space.”

“Victoria Police is committed to enforcing any illegal or dangerous behaviour which will result in fines for those who are found to be doing the wrong thing”, Wyndham’s Local Area Commander, Acting Inspector Steve Hayes, said.

Maximum fines include:

• $500 under the Community Amenity Local Law (2015) for behaviour not permitted on Council Land.
• $909 for unlicensed driving or riding
• $909 for driving an unregistered vehicle
• $724 for driving an unroadworthy or illegally modified vehicle
• Impounding of vehicles for a minimum of 28 days and costs between $1,000 and $1,600 to have the vehicle released

“The Lawrie Emmins Reserve should be used and enjoyed by everyone safely — so we are asking our residents and Reserve users to please report any anti-social or illegal behaviour to CrimeStoppers, or if immediate police response is required, call 000,” Cr McIntyre said.

“Protecting and keeping our community safe is everyone’s responsibility, and we are particularly grateful to Westgate Highway Patrol and Victoria Police for supporting us with this”

Pictured: Steve HAYES | A/ Inspector Acting Local Area Commander – Wyndham PSA, Wyndham City Councillor Susan McIntyre