Boy races busted

Exasperated Onerahi residents have struck back against boy racers, helping police rid their streets of noisy and dangerous drivers.
So far three cars have been taken off the road after beachfront residents banded together and carried out surveillance of local streets and reserves plagued by boy racers.
Whenever rogue drivers are spotted, residents take photos and videos, note registration plate numbers, and hand the information to police.
Their sting has been hailed a success by Whangarei police, who say it's an excellent example of how communities and police can work together.
The latest vehicle was seized from a 15-year-old's Whangarei Heads home on Thursday. His modified Mitsubishi ute was seen by an Onerahi local doing burnouts on a grassy area next to Beach Rd. He has been referred to the Youth Aid and his ute has been impounded for 28 days at a cost of $406.
Two other youths, both 17, face charges of sustained loss of traction and will appear in the Whangarei District Court.
Onerahi Concerned Residents Association spokesman Dave MacInnes said locals had had a "gutsful" of hoons doing donuts and burnouts on the waterfront reserve - so they shouldn't be surprised when residents hit back.
"If you think we're coming down on you too hard, whose fault is it? You're backing us into a corner, boys. Back off."
Mr MacInnes said young people drank, played loud music and "tore up the grass" at all hours of the night.
"They have absolutely no thought or respect for the locals."
Fellow member Shirley Royds, who started the group, said their preferred option was bollards to keep cars off the reserve. If that didn't work, they would raise money for security cameras.
But Mr MacInnes said the group wasn't out to spoil the racers' fun.
"We don't hate you ... You've just got to rearrange yourselves so you're having fun without causing other people distress and pain."
Onerahi Community Constable Daryl Curran said police could not have caught the youths without help from vigilant residents - and he urged people in other suburbs to do the same.
"We take a zero tolerance approach with any vehicles doing wheelies and racing up and down the roads," Mr Curran said.
Whangarei police area controller Inspector Paul Dimery said the public had had enough of boy racers and were prepared to help the police in any way they could. "Police will respond to concerns of the community and this is a good example."
He said the Onerahi initiative was a forerunner to a new "Citysafe" scheme, starting in a month's time.
Citysafe involves police, bar managers, the council, security firms and rubbish collectors working together to stop crime around Whangarei.
"When people see something they can do something about it ... In the past there was a bit of apathy."
The programme has already been successful in Hamilton and Wellington.
* Boredom a burning issue Rubber-burning racers need more than just a burnout pad to keep them off the streets, says drifting champion Garry Whiter.
In response to complaints by boy racers that they had nowhere to have fun in their cars without annoying the public, a burnout pad was opened in Whangarei three years ago.
But the D1NZ drifting champ says racers need more speed and excitement than is possible on a burnout pad.
Saloon and Stock Car Club president Peter Blacklock wanted to give boy racers somewhere to go, and can't understand why they don't use the club's Port Rd pad.
But Dargaville-born Mr Whiter said only a race track would satisfy their need for speed.
Fellow drifter Justin Rood, of Whangarei, agreed.
He said street racers had absolutely no fear - making them dangerous on the streets, but perfect for the track.
"Without providing alternatives and educating people, you are never going to stop people street racing."
Both drivers want a track in Whangarei but realise it's unlikely to happen because people don't want the noise.