Local hoon line under review

By Sarah Schwager
CASEY’S successful Hoon Hotline could be replaced by the state’s version to save council costs.
Deputy mayor Kevin Bradford said the hotline had originated in Casey and as a result of its success, local state MPs had successfully lobbied to set up a statewide line.
State Minister for Police Bob Cameron announced $250,000 funding to roll out the hoon hotline last week.
The hotline, which will be available through the Crime Stoppers line on 1800 333 000, was set up after a successful trial in Geelong.
Cr Bradford said the new hotline was a great initiative. “My main concern now is how it will impact on our hotline,” Cr Bradford said.
“Frankston has now got its own hotline and Dandenong is about to introduce its own.
“If all the reports are going to different lines it is going to confuse the figures.”
Along with line rental, the service costs the council just under $10,000 a year.
Cr Bradford said cancelling the line would save the council money.
“We should just have one state-wide number. This is good for the state as a whole but we still know it was initiated in the City of Casey,” he said.
The council will write to Premier Steve Bracks expressing the City of Casey’s support and acknowledgment of the introduction of the state-wide hotline.
Council officers will also prepare a report on how the state-wide hotline will affect Casey’s own hoon hotline.