By Lilly O’Gorman
EXPLOSIONS that sounded like a shotgun going off woke residents of Old Coach Road last week, among the latest exploits of hoon drivers, vandals and drugs users constantly frequenting the area.
According to Rod Capuano, someone shot at a street light in the early hours of Wednesday 6 June, destroying the globe and leaving dents in the metal pole.
“By the time I walked to the window and heard the fourth bang I saw the street light explode,” Mr Capuano said.
“I ran out the front and saw them screaming down the hill and they did a big wheelie at the bottom of Harkaway Road.
“One of the girls next door goes for walks and runs before work so if someone was out there with a shotgun at the same time that’s a bit scary.”
It’s scary but it’s not unusual for the residents living in the multi-million dollar houses in Old Coach Road and Panoramic Terrace in Berwick.
The popular vantage point has been a hot spot for hooning, drug use and anti-social behaviour for quite some time.
Casey Council turned down a request from Old Coach Road and Panoramic Terrace residents for the area to become a ‘gated community’ at a council meeting on 16 August last year.
A petition and joint letter signed by eight residents raised concerns about hoon driving, litter and drug activity and the high volume of traffic that use the gravel car park at the top of Old Coach Road, with visitors congregating there to enjoy scenic views.
The council, however, did not support the installation of speed humps and improved street lighting because the roads are public roads and also designated fire access roads.
Mr Capuano thinks it’s time for the council to reconsider.
“You have a right to have a quiet existence and feel safe,” Mr Capuano said.
“When there is a constant series of things happening I think authorities have to do something about it. It’s getting a bit more serious when people are letting off shots not more than 50 metres from houses.
“There are multi-million dollar homes up here and it’s a nice neighbourhood. Why doesn’t the council want to do something to showcase that? I know they like the thought of everyone enjoying the views. There are skidmarks everywhere and kids using drugs up there repeatedly.
“A couple of lights and a speed hump would stop a lot of the issues that are going on.”
City of Casey Acting Manager Community Safety Tracey Blythe said the council continued to work with police to monitor incidents of vandalism and hooning in Old Coach Road and Panoramic Terrace.
The council would also repair the damaged lighting.
“The City of Casey responds to Hoon Hotline calls and refers these immediately to Victoria Police,” Ms Blythe said.
The council did not confirm whether, as suggested at the council meeting in August last year, the gravel car park at the top of Old Coach Road would be reduced in size.
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