Police CARE

By Bridget Cook
POLICE were out in force on Casey roads on 19 May with a highly visible roadblock style operation.
Operation CARE (Casey Area Road Enforcement) targeted traffic and crime related offences, including drug trafficking, smuggling of stolen goods, unlicensed and drink drivers and motorists not wearing seatbelts.
The operation, which kicked off this month, involves members from Casey Traffic Management Unit (TMU), Casey Response Unit, Casey Criminal Investigation Unit, general duty officers and sheriff department officers.
Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch from Casey TMU said police set up three roadblocks at Lynbrook Boulevard, Lynbrook, Cairns Road, Hampton Park, and Central Parkway, Cranbourne West.
“The locations were chosen following feedback from the public and information we received that they are problem areas,” Sen Const Inderwisch said.
Police checked 279 vehicles from between 1pm and 9pm.
Forty-four offences were recorded. Many unregistered vehicles and unlicensed drivers were detected and defect notices were issued.
Four leaner drivers were caught without a supervising passenger seated next to them.
Police detected three drivers with suspended licences and one male driver was caught for outstanding criminal matters.
The Sheriffs Office recovered $59,000 in outstanding fines from 27 people.
Sen Const Inderwisch said all vehicles were checked at the roadblocks.
“Drivers should know that it’s not just the main streets we are targeting, it’s back streets as well,” he said. “People need to be aware we are out there.
“It may look like a random breath-testing site, but it’s much more than that.”
Operation CARE is back after its success in 2009, when 2193 vehicles were checked and 326 traffic offences and four crime offences were recorded.
The Sheriffs Office recovered almost $500,000 in fines in 2009.
Sen Const Inderwisch dubbed Wednesday’s operation as “a success”.
Operation CARE will run at regular intervals around Casey until the end of the year.