The crime stats for the North Tamborine Police division from 6.5.2015 to 5.8.2015 have now been collated and I am pleased to say are surprisingly low. You may deduce from the stats that there is no particular area on the mountain that is being targeted and that offences have been committed all over. There could be a number of factors to explain why the stats are low: criminals not presently being active in our area, the recent cold weather, shortened reporting period, or that residents are being vigilant, by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity in their areas, securing their homes and business properties or all the above.
I was looking into crimes committed in other police divisions and saw a reported crime where a car was left parked on a public road, insecure and had a small property item stolen from within, to the value of $10,000! Now, nobody can afford to lose property to that value, I would bet even a millionaire would be disappointed with that outcome.
Onto another matter which we are trying to put the kibosh onto is the irregular hooning and the dreaded black skid marks that you would see about. I promise to those responsible, if you are observed and located undertaking this type of ridiculous driving behaviour, your vehicle will be seized and impounded, we don’t care who owns the vehicle and neither does the law. The vehicle will be towed off mountain to a storage facility and you will be responsible for all the costs involved, plus you can explain yourself to a Magistrate. Not a position I would like to be in.
Another matter probably not directly aimed at NHW members (but certainly of interest) is the matter of registration of motor vehicles. Please be mindful, now that registration labels are no longer issued, some motorists are being caught out driving unregistered motor vehicles. This is occasionally the fact because some people are not updating their new addresses when they move in a timely manner.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) subsequently will forward the renewal registration papers or camera initiated speeding offences and/or toll violations to the previous address. The first thing most offending drivers know that their driver’s licence has been suspended by SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Register) and they are currently unlicensed to drive or their vehicle is unregistered and possibly uninsured is when police intercept them and inform them.
To check when your vehicle is due for registration go to the DTMR website and click on the “Check my registration status” tab. (Ed: https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/checkrego )
Please be aware that most police vehicles have on-board electronic devices that are connected to the DTMR computer and very quickly can inform police whether a vehicle is registered or if the primary and secondary owner/drivers are licensed appropriately.
My personal thoughts on the matter is that owners of vehicles can create their own small sticker that can remind you of when the rego is due and place that little sticker next to the other little sticker which reminds you when your next oil change is due.
You may find some interesting information on the Qld Police Website: www.police.qld.gov.au including links to NHW, Facebook postings, crime maps and ACORN (Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network www.acorn.gov.au ).
Stay safe and I hope to see you at the next NHW meeting on Wednesday 26th August.
Constable Pete BLUNDELL
NHW Liaison Officer
North Tamborine Police
