$500,000 fines windfall

By Kelly Yates
SHERIFF’S Department officers collected a total of $469,794 in outstanding fines by joining police for Operation CARE during the year.
Police have praised the overall results of the operation for 2009.
Police wrapped up the operation, which targets the staggering number of drivers committing crime and traffic offences, this week by setting up roadblocks in Coral Drive, Hampton Park, and along Central Parkway in Cranbourne West.
Operation CARE, Casey Area Road Enforcement, is the first police operation of its kind in the City of Casey.
The initiative kicked off in January and involves police from the Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU), Casey Response Unit, Casey Criminal Investigation Unit, and general duties officers from Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills and Cranbourne police stations.
The operation is similar to booze bus operations, according to Casey TMU Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch.
Drivers are checked for outstanding warrants, licence status, vehicle registration and roadworthiness, and also given breath tests.
Police were also on the hunt for drivers attempting to traffic illegal drugs throughout Casey.
Throughout the year, police checked 2193 vehicles and issued 118 defect notices.
Police found 46 unregistered vehicles, 21 drivers failing to wear seatbelts, 17 drivers failing to display P Plates, 14 motorists using a mobile phone while driving and 13 motorists driving while disqualified.
“Police also nabbed one driver for possessing amphetamines,” Sen Const Inderwisch said.
The Sheriff’s Department officers collected a total of $469,794 in outstanding fines by joining police for Operation CARE during the year.
Sen Const Inderwisch said about one in every six vehicles intercepted resulted in action against either the vehicle or the driver.
“This is an extremely high strike rate. These are scary statistics,” Sen Const Inderwisch said.
Operation CARE will be an ongoing operation in the municipality.