Helmet blitz

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
YARRA Glen police stepped up their enforcement of bicycle helmet offences during the holidays.
Sergeant Richard Coulson said a number of youths had recently been pulled up for riding bicycles without a helmet, which carries an on-the-spot fine of $153.
He has called upon parents to take a more active role in ensuring their children are wearing helmets when out riding bicycles.
“It’s no good having a helmet which is either left at home or hanging off the handle bars when out riding,” he said.

Costly burnout

A HEALESVILLE driver has had her car impounded for a month, after police caught her doing burnouts along Green Street.
The 22-year-old female was caught on 8 December at 4pm doing burnouts near the bus shelters.
She was served with a notice to surrender her car to Healesville police station, which she did on 31 December.
She will be summoned to the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court for traffic offences at a later date.

Christmas Eve fire

POLICE are searching for a light coloured station wagon observed at a fire in Yarra Glen on Christmas Eve.
The fire started on grass next to a stockyard on the corner of Symond Street and Glenview Road in Yarra Glen at 9.45pm on Saturday 24 December.
Police said the fire could have been far more significant if it had not been for the prompt attendance of the Yarra Glen CFA.
Sergeant Richard Coulson said the light-coloured station wagon, believed to be a ’90s model Holden Commodore with a faulty exhaust, was observed stopping at the location of the fire. A number of firecrackers discharged at the site had allegedly started the fire.
The vehicle was last seen heading up Glenview Road towards King Street.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Yarra Glen police station on 9730 1296 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hoon dobbing hailed

POLICE have praised the support of residents dobbing in hoon drivers.
Sergeant Wayne Williams said fantastic information had been received from residents in Healesville, Badger Creek, Chum Creek and Yarra Glen, which has helped identify local hoons who are now under police surveillance.
“With support from the community, it allows police to target dangerous individuals, and get them off the road before they cause a serious collision,” he said.
“I strongly encourage all locals to contact police and report any and all hoon behaviour they witness.
The more information we receive from you, the stronger we can enforce the traffic laws.”

Charged for drink driving

A DRIVER was pulled off the road in Yarra Glen for disqualified, unregistered and drink driving.
The 33-year-old from Melton was caught last month on the Eltham-Yarra Glen Road.
He is to be charged on summons for driving while disqualified, drink driving and using an unregistered motor vehicle.