
By Kelly Yates
POLICE are out in force blocking roads in the City of Casey as they start Operation CARE, a highly visible initiative targeting the staggering amount of drivers committing crime and traffic offences.
Operation CARE, Casey Area Road Enforcement, kicked off yesterday (Wednesday) along Monahans Road in Cranbourne, between Camms Road and Duff Street.
Acting sergeant-in-charge of the Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU) Allen Inderwisch told the News police checked 70 cars from 9am to mid-day.
Police caught two drivers with suspended licences, two people driving while unlicensed, six drivers not wearing seat belts, three drivers talking on mobile phones while driving and two drivers failing to display P plates.
Casey TMU police also issued nine defect notices for un-roadworthy vehicles and discovered five unregistered vehicles and one vehicle displaying false number plates.
Act Sgt Inderwisch said police also caught a learner driver who wasn’t accompanied by a qualified driver and who’d failed to display L plates.
He said she also stated a false name and address.
Police executed 42 sheriff notifications for outstanding fines.
Act Sgt Inderwisch said police were disappointed with the results of the first day of Operation CARE.
“We will be out in force in the coming months and those committing offences will be caught,” he said.
Operation CARE involves police from the Casey TMU, Casey Response Unit, Casey Criminal Investigation Unit, and general duties officers from Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills and Cranbourne police stations.
Operation CARE will run until March at various locations around Casey.