"Look out hoons," said the message in the 'In Brief' column on the front page of last Thursday's Age, so they did.
Some words that anyone with a bit of respect for the law and their fellows might have noted as a warning, this sub-species of humanityconstrued as advice as how best to ruin Easter for those going about their lawful pursuits. So they looked out and saw the beautiful weather, the wide expanses of firm sand provided by nice low tides, and they rode their illegal machines at murderous speeds through the streets of Ahipara and on to the beach, where they proceeded to destroy Easter for a lot of people.
Interminable noise, dangerous manoeuvres, abuse for anyone who suggested a little restraint. They know their "rights," these heroes.
The special police operation was undertaken as promised, and long hours were worked by police personnel each day of the holiday. But, in the words of one officer whose 12 hour-plus stint went way beyond a normal work day, the sounding of the jungle drums is difficult to counter, especially under the pathetic "rules" that govern beach traffic, and so their best efforts will only ever achieve a pause, rather than cessation.
Some years ago I had the effrontery, in a letter printed in this column, to predict that if measures were not taken to address what was back then regarded as only a bit of a nuisance, "law breaking could well become lawlessness". That time just might have arrived. Wellington had best wake up soon, and introduce some effective legislation.
Bet this stuff doesn't occur out in front of the Prime Minister's home, or his holiday place.
