Message from The Area Coordinator
What can I say to you all regarding the tragic events of the past month with our incredible weather. One thing that has come out of the situation has been the amazing response of the volunteers who were willing to help out complete strangers in other parts of the city. Then there was the other side of the coin. One lady who had lost everything and was so overwhelmed by the help and compas-sion of the strangers, and yet had not received a phone call from any of her children who live inter-state. Let us hope that this amazing response can carry on and we can all help one another in the best ways possible. It may be the slightest thing such as helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping or garden, but there are many other people out there who could do with someone to chat to—a kind word costs nothing and a smile even less so let us think about our community and what we can do to make it a better place to live in. I hope that you were not affected by the flood waters, but do re-member that there is help available. Benefits have been provided for people to claim, but if you have become unemployed or can’t work due to the flood water there is benefits available so make sure you do claim. There are willing people who will assist with clean ups and repairs BUT DON’T fall victims to any of the scams going on with the usual criminal element who come out of the woodwork at times like this and want money up front. NEVER DO THAT.
Please become an active part of NHW and I hope to see you at the January meeting.
Take care Geoff
13HOON HOON HOTLINE INTRODUCED
What is hooning? Hooning may include donuts, drifting, fishtails, revving of engines, screeching brakes, skidding, burn outs, time trials/street racing and rolling road blocks.
What are the dangers of hooning? Hooning behaviour, even performed at low speeds, may cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle, leave the roadway and collide with a fixed object or a pedestrian. The speeds associated with street racing coupled with driver inexperience can lead to fatalities.
How do I report hooning? To report a hooning offence, observe the behaviour and note details such as vehicle registration, vehicle characteristics, time and location of the illegal activity and a description of the behaviour. When you call 13HOON, a trained call taker will record your details and relay the information to police for follow up.
For hooning incidents currently underway and where there is no immediate danger to anyone by having police attend, your information will be forwarded to a Police Communications Centre to task police for response.
How does my report help police? The information you provide to 13HOON is relayed to police for further investigation. This allows police to locate hooning hotspots and take action to prevent it re-occurring.
For non-emergencies, your call to 13HOON takes pressure off Triple Zero (000) call centre operators across the state while still allowing you to report hooning behaviour.
What are the penalties for hooning? Under current anti-hoon laws police can impound a vehicle for 48 hours after a first repeat offence, up to three months for a second repeat offence, or permanently for a third repeat offence.
SLOW DOWN PLEASE
Children are back to school or university. Remember to observe and slow down in
designated school zones. 1 to 2 minutes stopped at a zebra crossings can save the
valuable lives and the trauma of injury to loved ones.
LOCK IT OR LOOSE IT
Help Reduce the risk of Vehicle Theft or Theft of your valuable property
ALWAYS LOCK doors and windows when your car is unattended.
Even at HOME in your driveway or garage LOCK doors and windows of your car.
REMOVE all valuables from vehicle.
If you must leave valuables in your vehicle, keep them OUT OF SIGHT.
DON’T LEAVE personal documents in your vehicle as you risk your identity being stolen.
PARK your vehicle where it can be observed easily by yourself or others
If parking your vehicle on the street at night, select a WELL-LIT AREA
SECURE YOUR KEYS and ensure they are not left where a thief may access them
HAVE VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) etched onto major glass components of the vehicle.
Install an effective anti-theft device such as a fuel/ignition cut-out switch; an ignition shield; a visible
locking device; or a battery isolator and car alarm.
Be aware that older cars are often targeted by opportunist car thieves.
Check your REGISTRATION PLATES upon returning or before going out in your vehicle
DO NOT CALL REGISTER RENEWALS DUE?
This is still a free service https://www.donotcall.gov.au Register easily by phone on 1300 792 958 - The registration period for numbers has been extended from three to five years.
