Police race to unannounced car rally

By Kelly Yates
POLICE called in for reinforcements when more than 1000 car enthusiasts with 800 hotted up V8s and sports cars rolled into Narre Warren last Saturday night.
The Critical Incident Response Unit and Dog Squad were called as the Vic Street Scene car club congregated in the Casey Lifestyle Centre car park, corner of the Princes Highway and Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road at about 7.30pm.
Senior Sergeant David Kinghorn from the Narre Warren police station said the organised car rally was posted as an open invitation on the club’s official website.
Police were called to the scene after receiving reports of suspected hoon behaviour and alcohol consumption.
Neither the police nor Casey Council were notified of the event.
“We had no idea they were meeting in Narre Warren. It was very irresponsible as they didn’t have any idea how many people would turn up,” Sen Sgt Kinghorn said. Police from Narre Warren, Endeavour Hills and Cranbourne called in the CIRU and the Dog Squad and suspended an operating booze bus and relocated it to the car rally.
Sen Sgt Kinghorn said no arrests were made and no cars were impounded.
Police, however, did speak to a number of people about possession and drinking alcohol in a public place.
He said a number of the patrons were breaching Casey’s drinking in a public place bylaw, which can ultimately result in a $120 fine.
Sergeant Darren Shaw, who was in charge of the operation on the night, said once there was a large police presence the patrons were well behaved.
“If the police didn’t turn up, the event could have had the potential to go the opposite way,’ he said.
“The club cooperated with police and everyone had a good time.”
A Vic Street Scene car club spokesman said the club wasn’t aware of the obligations to inform the local police and council.
“We’ll make sure we do things correctly next time,” he said.
The car club meets on a regular basis, giving car lovers an opportunity to meet new people and look at different makes and models of cars.
The spokesman said the club had strict guidelines and rules and members were obliged to abide by them.
He said it was disappointing that the community labelled car clubs as hoons.
“There are people out there who are doing the wrong thing and if they are going to drive an un-roadworthy vehicle then police need to intervene,” he said.
“We are a group of car enthusiasts who don’t want to be seen as hoons. We don’t stand for that.”
The rev heads left the car park at 10pm and drove to Chirnside Park, via Monbulk, for the club’s scheduled cruise.