Police from the Moreton District Tactical Crime Squad have charged 81 people on 265 offences and issued 18 traffic infringement notices (TINS) to a further 11 people as part of Taskforce Yankee Tread, launched on 11 August to target dangerous driving behaviour across the district.
Seven vehicles have been seized along with false, stolen and altered licence plates. 12 vehicles have been immobilised for 90 days for repeat offences, and one vehicle has been impounded.
Taskforce Yankee Treat was established by the Moreton District in response to increased organised events involving in dangerous driving, unlawful street racing, burnout activity and associated criminal offending.
At approximately 11.24pm on 21 August, police were called to an industrial estate on Piper Street in Caboolture following reports multiple vehicles were conducting burnouts and being driven dangerously in the area.
Following further enquiries, police also observed the same vehicles conducting burnouts at Saltwater Circuit in Narangba.
It is alleged police attempted to intercept the vehicles when they fled the scene at speed.
Subsequent investigations lead police to attend an address on Morningview Drive in Caboolture where a black Ford Falcon was seized and an 19-year-old Caboolture man was arrested.
He was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle, wilfully making unnecessary noise or smoke, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving a defective vehicle and failing to display red P plates, as well as two counts of possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence.
He was due to face Caboolture Magistrates Court on 8 September.
A 19-year-old Sandstone Point man was also charged with participating in hooning group activity. He appeared in Pine River Magistrates Court on 7 September. He was also fined $1500.
A 17-year-old Narangba boy was also charged with participating in hooning group activity and obstructing police. He was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Just before 12.25am on 6 September, police were called to a licensed premise on Pumicestone Road to reports multiple vehicles were being driven dangerously in the area.
When officers arrived on scene, it is alleged a Holden Rodeo fled the scene at speed.
It is further alleged that vehicle was observed being driven on the wrong side of the road and almost collided with a marked police vehicle.
The vehicle eventually crashed outside a property on Marshs Road in the Glass House Mountains, and a 17-year-old Burpengary boy was taken into custody.
He was charged with 17 offences including dangerous operation of a vehicle, participating in hooning group activity, evading police at night, driving a defective vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving a vehicle without displaying L plates, driving as a learner without being properly supervised, driving with an unstable load, face masked or blackened with intent to commit indictable offence, trespass, use of mobile phones, and acquirer of registered vehicle must apply for transfer, as well as four drug offences.
The boy was due to face Caboolture Childrens Court on 9 September.
Moreton District Superintendent Chris Toohey said these are excellent early results and police won't be taking their foot off the pedal anytime soon.
"This taskforce has caused significant disruptions to organised dangerous driving activity in the district, and removed many unsafe vehicles and drivers from our roads," he said.
"The Taskforce aims to target alleged organisers and repeat participants, while executing enforcement action and strengthening intelligence-sharing arrangements with neighbouring districts."
"Moreton Police are committed to stamping out this kind of activity in the district, and we encourage members of the community to continue reporting this dangerous behaviour to police to help us identify offenders and target resources to areas of concern."
Queensland residents are encouraged to report dangerous driving behaviour directly to 13HOON (134 666) or Policelink (131 444). The information you provide is relayed to police for further investigation and allows officers to locate hotspots and take action to prevent it reoccurring.
You can also report online, where you can upload photos and videos: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/policelink-reporting/hooning-launch
If it is happening now or it is a life-threatening situation, please call Triple Zero (000).
The Queensland Police Service is committed to reducing the number of lives lost on our roads. However, enforcement alone cannot stop all dangerous driving behaviours.
Every choice you make behind the wheel, matters. Driving under the influence, speeding, driving distracted or while fatigued, or not wearing a seatbelt puts your life – and the lives of others – at serious risk. These dangerous behaviours will not be tolerated.
Queenslanders can expect police – anywhere, anytime.
Road safety starts with you.
