[Scan-DC] listening to police reports on their iPhones.

[Alan Henney]

Gold Coast Sun - Central (Australia)

February 1, 2012 Wednesday 
C - Central Edition

Eavesdropping hoons highlight case for police digital radios

SECTION: Pg. 11

LENGTH: 290 words

CALLS are growing for the State Government to give police digital radio equipment to put a stop to hoons listening in on scanners.

The push follows reports of hoons at Blanck St, Ormeau, escaping the long arm of the law by listening to police reports on their iPhones. 

Business owners said when the hoons heard police were on the way, they suddenly disappeared.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon said the matter had to be dealt with urgently.

``We have to look seriously at this situation,'' he said.

``Existing police radios need to be replaced with digital equipment as is the case in the Brisbane area and other parts of Queensland.''

Mr Crandon said hoons tuning in to police radios to escape the law had the practice down to a fine art.

There was also a need for tougher laws for hoons.

``We fine these people but they seem to have plenty of money to replace their burnt-out tyres, so let's increase the fines and make life miserable for hoons as they do for others in the community,'' Mr Crandon said.

``We also need more police to deal with these and other offenders in our electorate.''

He said Logan had 509 police for 307,000 people or one officer for 604 residents.

``Coomera has only 208 officers for 212,000 people which is one for every 1020 people, which is not enough,'' he said.

``Statewide, we have 10,445 officers or one for every 436, so we are well and truly under-resourced in the Coomera and Logan police districts compared to the rest of Queensland.''

Double speed bumps may be installed in Blanck St at Ormeau to put an end to hooning.

Area councillor Donna Gates said she was speaking to business owners to get their support for the plan.

``If the businesses agree to my plan, the speed bumps will go in as soon as possible,'' Cr Gates said.