Police in the Bayside area have dealt with more than 1,000 people and laid 50 charges for varying road offences since September.
Figures released by St George Area Command show there have been:
- 5 drug driving offences
- 15 licence offences
- 428 other driving offences
- 3 drink driving offences
- 15 seatbelt offences
- 264 speeding offences
Police provided the figures to The Peaceful Streets Action Group: Bayside and Surrounds which was formed in September in response to the escalating problem with car hoons in the local government area.
Last November, The Peaceful Streets Action Group presented a 2,500 signature petition to Bayside Council calling for action to reduce car hoons' impact.
Following this, St George Police set up Operation Overhaul bringing together police from various units to tackle hooning and anti-social behaviour specifically along the Botany Bay foreshore from Kyeemagh to Dolls Point.
The Peaceful Streets Action Group: Bayside and Surrounds welcomed the latest figures and urged people to keep reporting car hooning incidents.
"During Operation Engage on Saturday, January 16, working with the EPA and RMS, there were 21 vehicles taken back for checks. Of those 21 vehicles, 15 of those were defective with a total of $4,000 in defect fines that night," an action group spokesperson said.
"There have also been more than over 200 parking fines.
"In total, the police have dealt with over 1,000 people with 50 charges in total laid for varying offences.
"There have also been many more interactions, whether warnings or discussions with drivers. There is no statistical information provided for the number of people just warned.
"All in all, it's good news. However, it's important that the police presence is maintained regularly, so keep reporting all incidents of hooning and anti-social behaviour to 131 444 or to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
"It is making a difference as the police have the statistical information of the extent of the problem to help them allocate their resources."