HOONS in Wellington Point are on notice. Wynnum District Traffic Police have promised to step up their presence in the area, set up a ''hoon squad'' and crack down on speedsters.
Police made their pledge on Tuesday, after a car hit a tree in the suburb the night before, injuring five people.
The accident sparked debate at a Redland City Council committee meeting on Tuesday, when a council officer report was tabled requesting extra police patrols at the point.
Officers concluded additional patrols would be more effective at reducing "hooning" compared to CCTV surveillance cameras, which would cost $150,000 to install 17.
The committee agreed and decided council chief executive Gary Stevenson would write to Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson to ask for more police patrols and to crack down on speedsters on Main Road.
Councillor Wendy Boglary, whose Division 1 covers Wellington Point, said she was delighted with the planned hooning crackdown.
Cr Boglary, who asked for the officer report in October, said only an increased police presence would deter hoons and expensive CCTV cameras would fail.
"Accidents on this stretch of road have brought home the need for more police in this area and cameras will not do," Cr Boglary said.
"Speeding and hooning has been going on for the past four years and there is barely a week when I haven't received complaints from residents.
"Council Local Law officers patrol the point reserve daily, particularly at weekends, to ensure the car park is used appropriately and safely.
"There is a relaxed approach to single vehicles parking in the boat trailer areas when the boat trailer area is not heavily used," Cr Boglary said.
After the committee made its decision, Cr Boglary met with Senior Sergeant Neale Stoneley, the officer-in-charge of Wynnum District traffic branch.
Sen Sgt Stoneley promised he would send a "hoon squad", complete with unmarked police cars, to patrol the area and increase the number of speed camera operations.
He asked residents who wanted to complain about hoons in their area to ring the police line on 131 444.
Sen Sgt Stoneley said calls to that number were logged and the data used to determine how many police would patrol an area.
He also asked drivers, particularly young ones, to slow down after two people died in car crashes on the district's roads this year.
Anyone found hooning will have their car impounded, face court charges and will be fined.
The council officer report also appraised a range of surveillance measures for Wellington Point Reserve.
The full council on Wednesday, February 29, will vote on the recommendation.
On Twitter: @JudithKerr1
Email a friend