Hopes for a free ride crushed FIVE unregistered motorbikes have been destroyed after being seized by police. The vehicles were among nine mini-bikes, motorbikes and one motorised scooter impounded under an amendment to a Mornington Peninsula local law that imposes a $500 release fee. Just four of the motorbikes were reclaimed by their owners who came from Hastings, Bittern, Crib Point, Tyabb, Rosebud and Mornington. “None of the bikes crushed were able to be registered as they were not in a roadworthy condition,” Claire Smith, the shire’s environment protection and community safety manager, said. Police were given power to seize the unregistered recreational vehicles when the shire changed its local law in 2014. “Our top priority is community safety, and to deter illegal and dangerous behaviour. It is unfortunate some people still choose to do the wrong thing,” the mayor Cr Bev Colomb said. Cr David Garnock said illegal use of unregistered recreational vehicles was dangerous. “Riding unregistered recreational motorbikes without the proper safety equipment on land not designed for the purpose is not only dangerous,
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Have a say on Coolart speed PUBLIC comment is being sought on a proposed speed reduction in Coolart Rd, between Baxter and Balnarring. VicRoads is assessing a cut in speeds from 90kph to 80kph as “speed is a big contributing factor to the safety along this road”. It says the possible reduction is supported by Victoria Police and Mornington Peninsula Shire. The 17.4 kilometre stretch of rural road between Frankston-Flinders Rd, Baxter and Frankston-Flinders Rd, Balnarring has “a significant crash history”, VicRoads says. In the five years from January 2010 to December 2014 it was the scene of 32 crashes in which people sustained injuries - including three fatalities. Present road safety improvements along Coolart Rd include a number of roundabouts, the most recent at Bittern-Dromana Rd. A roundabout is being built at Hodgins Rd, Hastings. VicRoads says a speed reduction would significantly improve safety along the road while only adding about 90 seconds travel time. It says a speed reduction is the most effective short-term measure to improve safety, but that it will gauge the need for further infrastructure improvements in future. VicRoads is seeking community feedback through a survey, which it says should take about five minutes to complete. The survey will close 5pm, 7 June. Visit: Coolart-Road-Speed-Limit-ReductionSurvey Hard copies of the survey will also be available from the Mornington Peninsula Shire Customer Service counter.
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Thieves go window shopping DRIVERS who think it’s OK to leave handbags, wallets or money in cars parked in residential streets or driveways should think again. That’s the advice from police on the Mornington Peninsula who are frustrated that thefts from vehicles are on the rise again - with almost 70 offences committed in a recent three-week period. “Most of these vehicles were left unsecured with money and valuables clearly on display,” Detective Acting Sergeant Rob Vine, of Rosebud CIU, said. “We are seeing many thefts where thieves are particularly looking for mobile phones, wallets and handbags which contain identification and credit cards, which they then use to commit further fraud offences. It has a significant flow-on effect. “Drivers should ask themselves: ‘Can I really afford to lose what is inside and to pay for the re-
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pairs to my car?’ Detective Acting Sergeant Vine said. “They really do need to consider the inconvenience and related costs of having a smashed car window repaired, and replacing stolen items, as well as then potentially having to deal with a credit card fraud.” Police say offenders look for easy pickings inside vehicles. “If they see something through the window they will go for it. We are actively investigating and pursuing offenders responsible for these thefts, but we would also greatly appreciate the co-operation of the public by not leaving valuables inside their vehicles and making sure they are always locked. “It obviously won’t stop all of these crimes happening but it will certainly help,” Detective Acting Sergeant Vine said. “Crime prevention is a ‘whole of community’ responsibility.”
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Western Port News 19 May 2015
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