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Waitemata Police have rejected claims that they are not following up on reports of “boy racers” in the Mahurangi area.
Last month, police asked Mahurangi Matters to post on its FB page a message urging people to report any boy racer activity.
The post brought a flood of comments along these lines: “My husband called you last weekend with the number plate of a car doing burnouts at Snells Beach and you weren’t interested, no one could be bothered.”
However, acting area commander Senior Sergeant Roger Small says all leads are followed up if sufficient information is provided.
“Police are aware of community concerns around anti-social road users and recognise the distress their behaviour can cause,” he says.
“But we can’t do anything if all we’re told is that it’s a blue car with tinted windows. We need a registration number and any identifying features of the car or the driver so we can pursue it. If possible, video or CCTV footage are by far the best options.
“If officers are not able to attend the area immediately, this detail is helpful for those follow-up enquiries.”
Police undertook extra patrols following the incident in Falls Road, Warkworth on December 9, which left Mark McLean critically ill in hospital. Two men, aged 19 and 21, have subsequently appeared in court on assault and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm charges.
Small says police regularly receive boy racing complaints and drivers can face a range of charges, including impoundment of their cars. The usual penalties, however, are disqualification, fines and/or community service.
He says the Warkworth police station works around the clock, but it covers a large area.
“We need the community to be our eyes and ears.
“The reckless driving behaviour of a small group of individuals presents a danger to themselves and to other road users and we continue to monitor, investigate and hold offenders to account.”
Small stressed that while it could be frustrating to witness this type of behaviour, the public should not get involved.
If you witness anti-social driving behaviour, call 111 immediately, or to report an incident after the fact, call 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
McLean on road to recovery
The Warkworth man injured in the December 9 boy racer attack, Mark McLean, has been transferred from hospital to the Acquired Brain Injury rehabilitation centre at Ranui. Family friend Sandi Webb, who has set up a Givealittle page to help support Mark and his family during his recuperation and recovery, says McLean is making good progress and is about to start speech therapy. “His wife has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from the community,” Webb says. “People have been dropping off meals and helping in any way they can, and I know she is very, very thankful and grateful.” The McLean page can be found on the Givealittle page, search under ‘support is needed for local family’.
Patrols to address boy racer problem
Rodney Local Board member Michelle Carmichael has initiated a community response to the boy racer attack in Falls Road, Warkworth last month.
Carmichael, along with the One Mahurangi Business Association, contacted businesses and residents in the area last month to help set up a temporary but regular security patrol in the Falls and Hudson Roads area.
“We have had a great response from people and businesses willing to fund cameras and get other safety measures in place,” she says. “This could involve liaising with police and monitoring road activity. One volunteer has also been in touch with Neighbourhood Support.”
Carmichael is organising a meeting with those interested in being involved, which she hopes to hold this month.
“I have raised this issue within Auckland Council, and road calming measures will be looked at by Auckland Transport,” her correspondence said.
“We don’t want the problem shifted to other locations, so one longer term option may be for a direct contact number for residents to call, as well as calling police, when they experience prolonged problematic and disturbing driver behaviour.”
Carmichael says cameras are an obvious tool which would help and the Business Association has been advocating for these for a while.
“I have asked within Council about a ‘safety camera’ in the vicinity of the Falls and Hudson Road intersection, but the initial response is that this is outside the scope of Auckland Transport.
“Warkworth officer Sergeant Mark Stallworthy is part of the email group that has been set-up. It’s imperative that police are involved to provide guidance and expertise so we develop an initiative that keeps everyone safe.”
