By Casey Neill
THE State Government’s record $1.9 billion police budget has drawn criticism from the hills and outer east.
The cash boost includes $48.3 million to improve police facilities and $19 million for 50 extra transit police.
But Knox woman Shaddy Cameron said facility upgrades were a waste of funds.
“There’s no point in having police stations if we haven’t got the police,” she said.
Ms Cameron has been collecting signatures in the hills for the Police Association of Victoria’s Save Our Streets (SOS) campaign.
The association aims to present 70,000 signatures to Parliament calling on the State Government to fund 3000 new police.
Ms Cameron last month collected almost 200 signatures from Belgrave, Monbulk, Olinda, Tecoma, Ferntree Gully in eight hours.
“The people up there in the hills don’t think they’ll get the police response,” she said.
“If you call the police they probably won’t be able to come. It’s that desperate. We’ve got no protection at all. We need extra police.”
Ms Cameron said Olinda’s police station was often empty but cost cash to maintain.
She said Monbulk relied on backup from the under-resourced and distant Pakenham, and the Belgrave station was often closed.
“The shop people say they’re never there when they need them,” she said.
“They have the highest regard for them, but we don’t have enough of them.”
Ms Cameron did welcome the 50 additional officers to monitor public transport.
Anyone who would like to sign the petition or collect signatures can call their local police station or the Police Association on 9495 6899.
Police funding cops a blast
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