Hotline a hot winner at awards

THE City of Casey’s ground-breaking Hoon Hotline initiative received another national award this week.
The dob-in-a-dragster program has been a success since it was implemented by Casey in November 2004 and it has been recognised with a Certificate of Merit at the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Award.
Casey was the first municipality in Australia to implement a hoon hotline, and almost four years after it started locally, the State Government has announced it will introduce a similar service across Victoria.
The Hoon Hotline was one of several award-winners on the day.
State Police Minister Bob Cameron was full of praise for the program.
Mr Cameron said the award-winners were recognised for their work in reducing violence, substance abuse, bullying, hoon driving and theft, as well as improving crime reporting to police.
He said the projects highlighted the need for a partnership approach to crime prevention, with a greater focus on programs targeted at changing behaviour.
“I would like to congratulate all those involved in these projects and thank them for their tireless work to make Victoria safer,” Mr Cameron said. “We are grateful to these committed Victorians who demonstrate initiative to target the range of factors which can lead to crime.”
Casey’s manager of community safety Caroline Bell said more than 1300 calls were received to the hotline in 2006-07.
“Residents have reported that they feel empowered to report risky driving behaviour through the confidential, 24-hour hotline,” she said.
To report any dangerous driving on Casey’s roads, call 1800 18 HOON (1800 184 666).