Coastal hoons face new fines

Alex de Vos
Police have new powers to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $587 in a bid to crack down on anti-social behaviour on the Surf Coast.
Torquay Police Acting Sergeant Shane Connolly said new legislation would allow officers to target “disrespectful schoolies and toolies” for a range of misbehaviour including damaging property, using indecent language and ignoring orders to stop making too much noise.
Previously police had to charge offenders and drag them through the court system, which tied up resources and delayed punishment.
The new legislation also gives police powers to enforce some council by-laws, such as a Surf Coast ban on taking glass containers onto beaches.
The Independent has previously reported complaints from Surf Coast residents fed up with revellers partying every night, littering footpaths with broken bottles and destroying property.
Sgt Connolly said “immediate” penalties under the new legislation ranged from $234 to $587 depending on the severity of the offence.
Offences also included using abusive or threatening language, under-age consumption or possession of alcohol, discharging missiles, producing false identification and lighting fires.
“As far as we’re concerned, they been told you come here and have a great time but don’t do anything silly – you know the rules,” Sgt Connolly said.
“You tip over rubbish bins or urinate in the street and you will be fined immediately.”
He said the reforms, introduced in collaboration with the Surf Coast Shire, were designed to have a “direct impact” on offenders.
“Before the new legislation you would damage property then you would be charged and waste a lot of police time – there was no direct impact,” he said.
“But these fines will impact on you for the next few days – it will ruin your holiday.”
Sgt Connolly said police and shire officers would distribute to Surf Coast hotels and accommodation-providers posters listing offences and their on-the-spot penalties.
“We’re targeting the smaller offences so hopefully we’ll stop the bigger ones,” he said.
“The fine is your warning as far as we’re concerned, some of the offences will stay on your criminal record.”
Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association president Spencer Leighton praised the new legislation.
“I think it’s absolutely great – we’ve been wanting this for a long time,” Mr Leighton said.
“Now all we’d like to see is that it’s enforced.”