Only 53 of 17,000 Melton residents with outstanding fines or
warrants handed themselves into police as part of last week’s Operation
Surrender.
The one-day operation gave residents with long-standing legal issues the opportunity to come clean. On August 20, the Weekly reported that 17,000 residents in Melton, Caroline Springs and Deer
Park had a total of $38 million in outstanding fines and warrants.
Police set up a mobile bus opposite Melton police station as part of Thursday’s operation.
The 53 people who voluntarily attended the bus had 803 outstanding
warrants combined, totalling $264,694. Eight residents owed more than
$10,000 each in fines or warrants. The largest amount owed by one person
was $22,000.
Police and sheriff’s officers explained what was involved in the
execution of warrants and organised appropriate arrangements to clear
fines or deal with pending court proceedings for those who came forward.
Melton police Inspector Stephen Mutton said despite the low strike rate, the operation had been a success.
He warned police would conduct operations in coming weeks,
including road blocks in Melton and Caroline Springs, to target those
who didn’t come forward.
