AN Albury councillor has labelled hoon drivers "imbeciles" who are ruining life in North Albury and Lavington.
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Darren Cameron said the wild antics of motorists were "infesting" the northern part of Albury and action was needed.
"Thursday, Friday, Saturday and even Sunday nights in Lavington and North Albury there is a constant cacophony of screeching tyres as young people, almost always men, do burnouts around and around the various roundabouts," Cr Cameron said.
"It is dangerous and we've seen them lose control and crash into properties on several occasions over the last few years, it's a wonder nobody has been killed to my knowledge.
"It is something that we as a city just have to crackdown on, the amenity for residents in Lavington and North Albury particularly, and other parts of our city, is being totally destroyed by the outrageous antics of these imbeciles."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Albury police highway patrol Sergeant Matt Zemaitis was asked by The Border Mail if hoon driving was worse in Lavington and North Albury than other areas of the city.
"I wouldn't say so, I wouldn't say so at all," Sergeant Zemaitis replied.
"There's hoon activity wherever you go.
"We obviously are always patrolling the whole area locally, North Albury and other known spots and when offences are identified we take the relevant action."
Cr Cameron's frustrations were laid bare at this week's council meeting during a debate on a motion about security cameras.
It resulted in a directive to council chief executive Frank Zaknich to report on the "practicality of installing mobile, wireless CCTV at roundabouts and other locations to deter anti-social activity and hoon driving throughout Lavington and North Albury".
Former policeman now councillor Murray King strongly supported the push for such cameras, noting they were already used at work sites to protect tradies.
"Councillor Cameron has raised the issues of roundabouts, but let's take the roundabout out," he said.
"It could be put in areas where cars have been stolen and burnt and hopefully help the police there."
Councillor David Thurley shared Cr Cameron's concern about hoon drivers but suggested privacy law could handicap the council's use of mobile cameras.
"There are problems with the Privacy Act in NSW relating to random installation of cameras," Cr Thurley said.
"I feel sympathy for that point of view but I think it has a number of issues under present privacy law in NSW."
Cr King asked the council's community and place leader Simona Coad whether she knew of privacy issues related to mobile roundabout cameras.
She was unaware of any, saying she would take the question on notice.
Privacy regulations necessitated the addition of warning signs to security cameras installed in Dean Street by the council.
Cr Thurley told The Border Mail that such a measure with a mobile road camera could result in hoon drivers taking their antics elsewhere.