Police fines for leaving car unlocked.

[fakegt]

I saw a mates wife on the Victorian CH9 News last night getting hit with a $117 fine from the Police for leaving her car door unlocked while at the shops yesterday. She had a Club lock on.The area that was targeted is hardly a rich part of town and a fine for something I'd say 95% of drivers don't know exists is a bit full on. Remember most Old Holdens of the 60s&70s when locked can be opened with any key,Sissors or anything that can fit!
I think what they did yesterday was a poor bit of Community Policing, as this will only earn even more disrespect for Police. Maybe a few hours spent informing people of this law in the car park and a story on the news the same night would of had the same, if not better effect?
I do lock my cars all the time, but had no idea that is is an offence not to. What do you think about this.
http://lilydale-yarra-valley-leader....ion-to-thefts/

A quick net search shows other States also issue fines for the same "Offence", but only around $30-$40.
I wonder if the Police involved in this "Leave the Police car unlocked and lose a Glock" incident were also fined?
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/q...-1111118454838
Cheers, Dave

[cs123]

Rubbish policing. Why should there be a fine for not locking your car!!!

They could have stuck a note under the wiper reminding the person to lock their car properly.

[Professor Farnsworth]

thinking out of the square, i'm guessing it would be to reduce the amount of potential stolen cars to be used in crimes, joy rides and so on that end up in high speed chases, which are always flagged by the media and end up with enquiries into the way it was policed etc.

[sarrge2001]

I can't believe the stuff they come up with to protect us from ourselves and others. And funnily enough, it usually involves a financial penalty.

Steal an unlocked car, get a slap on the wrist. Leave your car unlocked and get fined. Sorry - who is the criminal here??

Locks only keep honest people out anyway!!

Suffice to say, i'm gobsmacked!!!!!!!

[sarrge2001]

Originally Posted by cs123

Rubbish policing. Why should there be a fine for not locking your car!!!

They could have stuck a note under the wiper reminding the person to lock their car properly.

"ding ding ding" What a fantastic idea..................but there is no money in it.

Unless of course you then had a littering fine issued.....

[fakegt]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

thinking out of the square, i'm guessing it would be to reduce the amount of potential stolen cars to be used in crimes, joy rides and so on that end up in high speed chases, which are always flagged by the media and end up with enquiries into the way it was policed etc.

Yeah, I can understand the thinking behind it, if its locked that makes it harder to break into. What I have issue with is with most recent Police Blitz's, you see a story pre warning and educating people leading up to the Blitz, thats good Policing, you break the rules, you cop the fine as you were warned. In this case I don't beleive there was any warning (I may be wrong here)they just went out and enforced a little known offence.Poor Community Consultation.
When was the last time you saw police cruising your local Train Station car park in the name of prevention? They don't even like turning up when the window has been smashed, you have to take it to them!
Cheers, Dave

[pottery beige]

it will put a stop to kid's getting stolen out of car's at casino's......

[fairBA]

the rule in QLD includes leaving your windows/sunroof open by more than 5cm - same fine.
came in the update last year - full changes here - see Securing a motor vehicle
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/reso...s_2_nov_09.pdf

[Ducati888]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

it will put a stop to kid's getting stolen out of car's at casino's......

If only it would put a stop to the misuse of apostrophes as well.

[cs123]

Originally Posted by sarrge2001

"ding ding ding" What a fantastic idea..................but there is no money in it.

Unless of course you then had a littering fine issued.....

Ha, About 20 years ago I came back to my car to find a note from the QLD police under the wiper congratulating me for locking my car up.

How times have changed;)

[iCat]

blatant revenue raising. my car is has an immobiliser. that is more of a deterrant than locking my car. if i want to risk someone rifling through my car that should be my perogative.

are they going to tell me next it is illegal not to use an umbrella when it is raining because i might catch a cold and go to the doctor and that might be a cost to the state government?

[flappist]

Well complain to your local MP, not on the but in writing and handed to him/her personally.

If it causes them pain personally they will make it go away.

[sarrge2001]

Originally Posted by Ducati888

If only it would put a stop to the misuse of apostrophes as well.

[mik]

you leave your car unlocked , next thing your sooking to the police your stuff is missing or your car is vandalised, stolen or burnt out in a padock, i can see why they wan`t a bit of responseability , i`m sure they most likely have to chase down heaps of stolen cars because person X left the car unlocked and or keys in the ignition.

[brendo83]

I used to live in a place where cars in the shared car park used to get broken into on a weekly basis, My car was broken into at least 4 times in a 12 month period. The theives had no intention of stealing the car, just wanting to steal anything inside it but they would smash windows and door locks to get in.
Eventually nearly everyone would leave their cars unlocked, gloveboxes open with nothing of value inside.
Often the only thing locking your car will get you is a damaged car along with the stuff stolen out of it.

[LUXO_8]

The thing I don't get why she bothered putting the clublock on then leaving the car unlocked

[redxm]

I remember reading this in the paper and NRMA magazine about 8-9 months ago, so its hardly new. Part of the same legislation is that the handbrake must be applied and the transmission in gear or park

[LTDHO]

Where's REDRUM?

I don't know what law applies to leaving a vehicle unsecured.

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by mik

you leave your car unlocked , next thing your sooking to the police your stuff is missing or your car is vandalised, stolen or burnt out in a padock, i can see why they wan`t a bit of responseability , i`m sure they most likely have to chase down heaps of stolen cars because person X left the car unlocked and or keys in the ignition.

Whilst I get that, I still think fining someone for it is a bit obscene..

I'm very sure there are more pressing matters, or other jobs to follow up on, that the cops could be doing rather than checking to see if someone's car is locked or not

[fakegt]

Originally Posted by LUXO_8

The thing I don't get why she bothered putting the clublock on then leaving the car unlocked

Not sure why, its a bit of a dunger so maybe the lock is broken. As I said before, to get access to a Holden from the 60s&70s anything that would fit into the lock would open it. Till recently I drove one for the past 13 years, its handy when you lock your keys in it. It was only broken into once and they "unlocked" themselves, where as my locked XY ute was taken and never seen again.
Cheers, Dave

[greens_tuf]

A bit off the topic, but this reminded me of when my car got broken into...

I locked it before I left and I always check a million times, when I got back I drove off without realising that my navman, hands free set, and loose change was missing. But I had to unlock my car to get in!!!

The thief was kind enough to lock my doors again after they cleaned out the car

[Dave R]

So if you leave your doors unlocked, the police will rob you.

[Rodp]

It stops opportunistic crime if the vehicle is locked and when you don't lock your vehicle and things get stolen out of it, you're likely to report it to police - which ties up their resources.

If someone is going to break into your car, they're going to break into it. I had my window busted out and a filthy big screwdriver mark on my door where they pried the glass out. :\ But if you leave your car unlocked, you're inviting scumbags that notice that it's unlocked to have a poke around.

[ToCo]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

So if you leave your doors unlocked, the police will rob you.

Exactly what I was just thinking, its your property, you do what you will with it. If someone wants to steal a car, a lock isn't going to stop them...

[Streets]

Originally Posted by flappist

Well complain to your local MP

This. If the law is in the legislation then it's no good whinging about the police when they do their bloody job and enforce it. A lot of people like to complain but don't have the capacity to sack up and try to do anything about it.

As for this particular fine, it's just another tax on stupidity. Lock your car and you won't have a problem. Don't, and get a fine, and next time you'll remember.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Professor Farnsworth

thinking out of the square, i'm guessing it would be to reduce the amount of potential stolen cars to be used in crimes, joy rides and so on that end up in high speed chases, which are always flagged by the media and end up with enquiries into the way it was policed etc.

Well according to the minister they want it there as they don't wanna deal with people's whining when their stuff gets stolen and they go to the police.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...0517-v7db.html

Sergeant John Morgan, officer in charge of the Yarra Ranges traffic management unit, said police had decided to enforce fines after a spike in theft of and theft from unsecured motor vehicles.

The ‘‘look, lock, leave’’ campaign will be ongoing and could extend to other areas of the state, he said.

Sergeant Morgan said motor vehicle theft affected the whole community.

‘‘It puts our crime stats up, it wastes police man hours in investigating the crimes in the first instance and ultimately it will put up insurance premiums,’’ he said.

[Zedjay]

whats the go if you drive a convertable???
gotta put the roof up to run into the shops to grab the paper??
lol.... yeah thats going to happen

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Where's REDRUM?

I don't know what law applies to leaving a vehicle unsecured.

Sorry, just glanced at this link now. It is an offence in Victoria to leave your car unlocked when unattended. I think this only applies to a public place such as a road, car park etc. I will look up the exact points of proof. It is also an offence to leave your keys in your car in similar circumstances.

May be in the Road Safety Act 1986.

[Franco Cozzo]

Remember to read your legislation book before you walk out the door in the morning.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

So if you leave your doors unlocked, the police will rob you.

Hmm, and this one takes the cake.

The idea of the law is to ensure people don't leave themselves open to would be thiefs. I remember my time in the army. If something were stolen from an open locker, the person who left it open would get in as much strife as the person who took the property.

I don't understand people's resistance to such legislation. I must say I have lectured people on this legislation but never have I charged anyone with it.