More cops plea

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has called for extra police, saying that law and enforcement was getting out of control with many residents fearing to leave their homes on a weekend.
At a Tuesday 23 June meeting, councillors unanimously agreed to write to the Victorian Police Commissioner for answers.
Chandler Ward’s Cr Graham Warren moved the motion to take a stand against the lack of numbers. “I have had calls from people too scared to leave their houses on a Saturday night…it’s coming to a point where this council needs to take a stand.”
Cr Dunn said the Yarra Ranges was entitled to a reasonable level of police which it wasn’t getting.
“I also think the police on the ground are entitled to a reasonable level of police so they can do their jobs and I don’t think they get either,” she said.
But the region’s Superintendent Andrew Crisp said there was no need for extra police on the beat as crime statistics were down for the area. “This just sounds like a political thing to me,” he said.
However Police Association Secretary, Senior Sergeant Greg Davies applauded the council move saying independent research showed the Yarra Ranges needed an additional 26 police officers “to provide an adequate, visible and pro-active police presence.”
But Supt Crisp said he was very confident with the level of service the region was getting.
He said the biggest issue facing the region was theft of and from motor cars.
“People need to take a share responsibility with us and make sure their cars are locked and all valuables inside are removed,” he said.
Sen Sgt Davies said there was no doubt the problem could only be fixed by the State Government stepping in.
“They have the capacity – if not the political will – to fix it,” he said.
“Local police command can only work with what they’re given, which unfortunately is not much.”
But a State Government spokeswoman said it was a Victoria Police operational issue.
Lyster Ward Cr Samantha Dunn has also called for Belgrave police station to be fully staffed.
She said there was one occasion when a trader rang Belgrave police to report criminal activity but was faced with an answering machine.
“This station only operates between 9am to 5pm, but the only problem was it was 2pm when they rang.”