Key Takeaways
- Residents and business owners on Birch Ave in Judea, Tauranga, report frequent illegal burnouts, skidding, and vandalism, especially on weekend nights.
- The hoon activity damages private and council property, including bent signs, smashed security cameras, worn‑down water‑main covers, and graffiti.
- Business owners have supplied security‑camera footage, but existing cameras lack the resolution to read licence plates, limiting police follow‑up.
- Bryce Cole of Gourmet Foods Ltd proposes installing a monitored, automatic number‑plate‑recognition (ANPR) camera to deter offenders and aid investigations.
- Tauranga Police acknowledge the problem, have impounded unregistered vehicles, and urge the public to report incidents via 111, 105, or Crime Stoppers.
- Council officials state the issue is a police matter but are working to provide power connections for future surveillance cameras, a process delayed by Powerco’s backlog.
Background of the Problem
Birch Ave, a short commercial street lined with businesses in the Judea suburb of Tauranga, has become an informal racetrack for “hoons” who perform burnouts, doughnuts, and high‑speed skids. Business owner Bryce Cole, who has led Gourmet Foods Ltd for 22 years, says the behaviour has occurred intermittently for much of that time but has grown more frequent and faster in recent months. The street’s roundabout at its end is regularly torn up as drivers spin around the central tree, leaving deep tyre marks and mud sprayed across the roadway.
Impact on Businesses
The constant barrage of illegal driving has inflicted tangible damage on local enterprises. Cole recalls a company sign being bent so severely that a forklift was required to straighten it, and a security camera being smashed off its mount and stolen. Other traders have had to replace water‑main covers that were “ground down to nothing” after vehicles used them as skid pads. In addition, McDonald’s trays have been placed under tyres to facilitate sliding, and debris such as pallets has been towed behind cars for riders to jump on. Graffiti and litter now litter the street, contributing to an unsightly and unsafe environment that deters customers and harms the area’s reputation.
Nature of the Vandalism
Beyond physical property damage, the hoon culture creates safety hazards. Cole’s security footage shows vehicles losing control while performing burnouts, with by‑standers—sometimes children—running around the cars in the dark to capture video for social media. The loss of control evident in these clips raises the risk of serious injury or fatality should a driver lose traction near pedestrians or other road users. The behaviour also fuels a perception of lawlessness, encouraging repeat offences as offenders see little immediate consequence for their actions.
Community and Police Response
Local residents and business owners have repeatedly contacted police, but response times are often too slow to catch offenders in the act. Cole notes that by the time a patrol car arrives, the vehicles have already fled the scene. Nevertheless, police have impounded a couple of the vehicles involved; both were unregistered and destined for wreckers. Bethlehem ward councillor Kevin Schuler highlighted an incident where a crowbar was used to destroy a private camera, although a second camera captured the act, providing valuable evidence for investigators. Schuler stressed that business owners should not have to tolerate ongoing property damage and vandalism.
Proposed Surveillance Solution
At a city delivery committee meeting, Cole advocated for installing a monitored camera equipped with automatic number‑plate recognition (ANPR) capability. Such a system would enable real‑time identification of offending vehicles, allowing police to respond swiftly and to issue fines or impound cars before offenders disappear. Cole argued that the presence of a visible, high‑resolution camera would also act as a deterrent, signalling that Birch Ave is not an acceptable venue for illegal driving. He emphasized that the camera must be placed out of reach of vandals—“out of crowbar range”—to prevent repeat tampering.
Council’s Position and Logistics
Council operations and infrastructure general manager Reneke van Soest affirmed that addressing hoon behaviour falls primarily under police jurisdiction. However, the council can support law enforcement by referring incidents and ensuring the necessary infrastructure for surveillance is in place. Van Soest noted that power connections for cameras are currently being arranged, but Powerco’s substantial backlog may delay installation for several months. Despite the wait, the council remains committed to enabling a technical solution that assists police in gathering evidence and deterring future offences.
Police Enforcement and Legal Consequences
Western Bay of Plenty Police area prevention manager Inspector Zane Smith confirmed that Tauranga police are aware of the burnout problem and have taken action, including arrests and vehicle impoundments. Offenders may face charges such as “sustained loss of traction” and “dangerous driving,” both of which carry fines, licence penalties, and potential imprisonment. Smith urged the public to report any suspicious or unlawful road behaviour immediately via 111 (emergency), 105 (non‑emergency), or anonymously through Crime Stoppers (0800 555 111 or online). Timely reporting helps police allocate resources, identify repeat offenders, and build stronger cases for prosecution.
Call to Action for Residents
Community vigilance remains a critical component of curbing the hoon menace. Residents are encouraged to keep their own security cameras functional, capture clear footage of incidents, and share relevant details with police as soon as it is safe to do so. Providing accurate descriptions of vehicle makes, models, colours, and any visible licence‑plate fragments can significantly improve investigative outcomes. Additionally, neighbourhood watch schemes and regular communication with local councillors can amplify pressure on authorities to prioritize the installation of effective surveillance measures.
Conclusion and Outlook
The ongoing burnout epidemic on Birch Ave reflects a broader challenge of anti‑social road behaviour that threatens public safety, damages property, and erodes community trust. While police have demonstrated willingness to intervene, the lack of immediate, high‑quality evidence hampers swift enforcement. A coordinated approach—combining prompt public reporting, robust ANPR surveillance, and clear legal consequences—offers the best prospect of restoring safety and preserving the commercial vitality of Judea’s Birch Ave. With power connections progressing and council support forthcoming, the installation of a deterrent camera could soon turn the tide against the hoon scourge.