By Tyler Wright
After a recent spout in vandalism on the town’s main strip, there are calls for added police presence on Cockatoo’s McBride Street.
At 1.20am on Tuesday 24 January, police were called to the local fish and chip shop after reports of a burglary, where they found a smashed window and damage to the front door.
The offenders had left the scene prior to police arrival.
It’s also alleged a number of items were stolen from post boxes at the Cockatoo LPO after several boxes were forcibly opened alleged at about 2.30am on 15 January and around 1.30am on 21 January.
Cockatoo LPO co-licensee Jack Ma said Cockatoo had been safe since he moved from Warburton to work in the area nearly four years ago, and he does not yet know what, or how much, has been stolen from the PO boxes.
“I don’t know why, and they’ve come twice,” Mr Ma said.
Black Cockatoo Pizza Cafe & Bar owner Linden Mitchell said she has seen a spike in vandalism throughout the past 12 months, with street signs stolen and people abusing her after she confronts them for sitting around her business’s decking.
A big roller has also been used to tag a wall at the rear of Ms Mitchell’s business, as well as the neighbouring op-shop.
“Our cars have been broken into, but now they’ve started actually breaking into businesses,” she said.
“Tagging has all started again… on my back wall… it’s huge tagging and I can’t fix it.”
Despite the Emerald Police Station being located nearby, it is not manned 24 hours a day, and Ms Mitchell said there is “no police presence at all” in town.
“This area needs police patrols of a night time,” she said.
Another business owner on McBride Street, who chose not to be named, said they are “petrified” of being the next business to have its windows smashed.
“Every weekend I carry all my antique photos, jewellery, I keep it all with me,” the business owner said.
“That’s why I don’t like the vandalism at the moment, because we’re all still trying to recover from Covid… and I don’t want to lose clients because they don’t feel safe to come here.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said while the Emerald Police Station is a non-24 hour station, Victoria Police provides a 24/7 response to the local community.
“Uniform police conduct regular day and night time patrols across Cockatoo, responding to and investigating crime,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Uniform Police patrols are supported by specialist units, working across the Cardinia area to keep the community safe.
“This includes Highway Patrol keeping local roads safe, Divisional Response and Crime Investigation Units who actively identify and arrest some of the communities worst offenders, and the Cardinia Tasking Unit who listen and respond to any and all community concerns.
“It is far more effective to have uniform police and these specialist units out in the community, rather than sitting behind a desk at a police station.”
Investigations remains ongoing and police are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or lodge a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
