NEWS DESK
Crushing message on monkey bikes Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au THE death of Carrum Downs mother-of-two Andrea Lehane in 2015 focused community attention on the illegal riding of monkey bikes in suburban streets and car parks. Ms Lehane, 34, was knocked six metres when young hoon Caleb Jakobsson ran into her as she walked across a zebra crossing towards Carrum Downs Shopping Centre. He fled the scene leaving her dying on the road. The tragedy played itself out in the courts last month with the 18-yearold being sentenced to seven years’ jail. The judge described his actions as morally reprehensible. Ms Lehane’s death set in train a Frankston Council and police campaign to rid the community of the bikes – and send a strong message to young hoons that their actions would not be tolerated. Frankston mayor Cr Brian Cunial joined police last Thursday to see 10 impounded monkey bikes be crushed at the Sims Metal yard, Wells Rd, Seaford. Asked whether the council was “surprised or angry� that monkey bikes were still being ridden despite the Lehane death, Cr Cunial said: “We are concerned that, in light of this tragic situation, there is still a number of people still doing the wrong thing. “We want everyone in our community to be safe when using the roads and footpaths.� The number of monkey bikes and
Police patrol Drink-driver off road A MAN allegedly caught drink-driving in Frankston last week has been taken off the road. Somerville Highway Patrol nabbed the man at 111 kph in an 80 kph zone on Frankston-Dandenong Rd about 3am. The 25-year-old, of Corio, had three passengers on board. He had a blood alcohol reading of 0.151 per cent. Police media officer Hannah Rowlands said the man’s licence was immediately suspended for 12 months and his car impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1005. He is expected to be charged on summons with drink-driving offences.
police, said the crew of a divisional van spotted the ute with its headlights off at traffic lights in Wells Rd, 1.47am, Friday 16 June. The ute did a U-turn onto Nepean Highway and, with police driving alongside it in the correct lane, drove down the wrong side of the road across several intersections at about 40kph. Luckily there were no collisions. The police air wing and dog squad were called in but the car managed to elude police and went missing near Nursery Av, Frankston. The ute had been stolen from Somerville the night before. The divisional van damaged a rear tyre trying to apprehend it.
Derelict house fire Off-road: Frankton Council officers and police had the final word as monkey bikes were crushed at Seaford last week. Picture: Yanni
motorbikes seized since the ban came into effect in 2007 has dropped significantly. In 2015-2016 council crushed 15 monkey bikes – up from 44 when the ban was introduced. Now that the police are also able to seize monkey bikes, Cr Cunial said he anticipated the number to fall to only one or two bikes each year. The crushing came about after the owners of the impounded bikes failed to pay a release fee of $800 within seven days from the date of their infringement notice, giving the council the right to dispose of them. “We urge parents to think carefully before buying monkey bikes for their children and, where they do, to teach and encourage responsible riding and ownership at appropriate locations,�
the mayor said. “We want everyone in our community to be safe when using the roads and footpaths.� Monkey bike riders have been reported at Seaford wetlands and vacant land and parks in Langwarrin. “We encourage people to report monkey bike users and hoon driving to Crime Stoppers and directly to council,� Cr Cunial said. “Council officers meet regularly with Frankston police to share information about illegal monkey bike and hoon activity within the municipality.� Referring to the Jakobsson sentence, Cr Cunial said: “Tragic incidents such as this affect not only those directly involved but their relatives, friends and the entire community.�
A SMALL explosion caused a fire at a derelict house in Hall Rd, Carrum Downs, last week, but did only minor damage. The long-vacant brick veneer – with many smashed windows and covered in graffiti – is a bone of contention among neighbours who want it demolished after being derelict for seven years. Frankston police said vandals were behind the small fire, 11.50pm, Saturday 17 June, which failed to burn through to the interior. Carrum Downs CFA took little time in controlling the blaze at the property, on the corner of McCormicks Rd.
Not on the menu A TEACHING chef at Chisholm TAFE received an electric shock while plugging in an ice cream maker, 9.45am, Wednesday 14 June. The Langwarrin man, 40, was taken to Frankston Hospital for treatment. Police and ambulance officers attended and WorkSafe notified.
Wrong way, go back A SILVER Great Wall utility drove south – in the north-bound lane – of Nepean Highway, Frankston, last week, with concerned police shadowing it on the left side of the road. Sergeant Phil Hulley, of Frankston
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CALL 03 9786 3322 WWW.FRANKSTONCABS.COM.AU Frankston Times 26 June 2017
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