Police say they are achieving good results from an ongoing operation to counter anti-social behaviour, including the antics of car hoons, at Brighton-Le-Sands.
Large numbers of officers from St George Local Area Command and the Highway Patrol have been targeting the area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for the past six weeks.
In just two weekends, 630 mobile breath tests and 557 mobile drug tests were conducted.
In addition, 3908 stationary breath tests and 904 stationary drug tests were carried out.
Fifteen motorists were found to be over the blood alcohol limit, while 41 tested positive to drug tests.
Police issued 351 traffic infringements and 65 speeding fines.
The operation followed moves by Rockdale MP Steve Kamper for a co-ordinated response by police and Rockdale Council to problems in Bay Street and The Grand Parade.
Mr Kamper said business owners and residents were fed up with what was happening.
It is believed to be the first time there has been co-ordinated action since Frank Sartor initiated a similar response when he was Rockdale MP.
As a result, the council introduced a number of Police Vehicle Only parking spaces and “No Stopping” signs, with prescribed hours, were installed in the car park at Kyeemagh.
Crime manager for St George Local Area Command, Detective Inspector Paul Simpkins said police had received some good community feedback.
”It is pretty much a high visibility, pro active operation,” Mr Simpkins said.
”It requires persistence, with police working with the local community, and that’s what we are doing.
“We will be maintaining our presence during the winter months.”
Mr Kamper said, for too long, hoons had been allowed free reign in the area.
“The community is saying, 'No more', and I’m pleased that we've been able to bring levels of government together to find real solutions.
Rockdale mayor Bill Saravinovski said hoons had been given a clear message they were not welcome in the area.
John Stamas, Manager of the Bay Vista dessert bar and cafe, said, “Hoons have been damaging local businesses here for years, and it's really encouraging to finally see our local MPs taking these problems seriously."
