NEWS DESK Police patrol
with Brodie Cowburn
Monkey bike riders ‘number one issue’ THE installation of gates and bollards at major reserves around Frankston has been discussed to help stop monkey bike riders. Frankston Police are dedicating more resources to stopping riders of monkey bikes and illegally modified bikes. Acting Sergeant Tim Walker says that they have identified monkey bike riding as the “number one issue highlighted through our neighbourhood policing framework”. Police have named Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve and the Seaford Wetlands as the two major hot spots for illegal monkey bike riding around Frankston. Police are in discussion with Parks Victoria and Frankston Council about potential measures to stop monkey bike riders from entering the reserves, including the installation of gates and bollards. Other measures police are using to stop illegal bike riding include the use of an all terrain vehicle, and crushing unclaimed bikes after three months of impoundment. Riders can be made to appear at court, and may face fines of $3109. Frankston Police Acting Inspector Miro Majstorovic is helping to run the operation targeting illegal bike riders. He said that “people might think that monkey bikes are low on the pecking order, but for some people this is the most significant issue. They are loud, they are dangerous, and they can smell.” Acting Sergeant Michelle Krause added
that rider safety is also an issue. “Riders tend to be underage, inexperienced, unlicensed, and they have no safety equipment,” she said. “Parents of these children should consider their safety when dealing with these matters.” In 2015, a woman was killed after being struck by a monkey bike rider in Carrum Downs. People who spot illegal monkey bike riding have been asked by police to come forward and report it. Acting Sergeant Walker said that help from the community will assist them to stop the issue. “It can be dangerous for us to pursue these riders, so we must use other methods. We need the public to help us with intelligence,” he said. “After receiving valuable information from the public we can close the loop with the community. That’s a big part of our neighbourhood policing framework, it means we call back people directly involved advising them of the outcomes we have achieved.” To report illegal monkey bike or dirt bike riding call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Frankston Police at 9784 5555. All reports can be made anonymously. 80-YEAR-old Len walks his German Shepherd around Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve. He has told patrolling police he is worried about monkey bike riders in the reserve. Picture: Supplied
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Frankston Times
15 February 2022