EYES IN THE SKIES NEEDED TO STOP RECKLESS RIDERS

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has formally asked the NSW Government to roll out a trial of police drones to Wagga. 

Dr McGirr has written to Police Minister Yasmin Catley, asking her to prioritise Wagga as a site for police drone operations to tackle local crime, with a focus on illegal trail bike riders on local roads. 

"I've told the minister of the long-running problem of illegal motorbike riding on roads and in parks and of growing concerns that the reckless behaviour of these riders presents a serious risk to themselves and others," Dr McGirr said. 

"She is aware that police are limited in their ability to catch these riders because of the dangers presented by pursuits – a fact known by the riders who feel confident in defying the law because they believe they won't be caught. 

"However, as I have stated in my request to the minister, drone surveillance would help police to safely track riders so they can be safely apprehended, and the appropriate steps taken to remove them from the roads." 

The request follows a successful trial of drones in Moree, and the government has indicated that drone technology will be used in other regional centres. 

"While Wagga has a lower crime rate than some other regional communities, the fact remains that efforts to stop illegal motorcyclists have been unsuccessful, meaning that the risk of serious crashes remains high," Dr McGirr said. 

"I'm confident that drone operations would help to deter and apprehend illegal riders, so I have asked the minister to prioritise the roll-out of the technology to Wagga to demonstrate how a serious problem could be solved efficiently and safely." 

As advocacy for the roll-out continues, Dr McGirr plans to meet with the minister within coming weeks to identify the opportunities to use modern drone technology to significantly improve community safety across the city.