By Peter Douglas
Crime Stoppers launched its bushfire arson awareness campaign in Lilydale Lake on Monday 13 February, urging locals to report unsafe behaviour.
Representatives from the CFA, Victoria Police, Parks Victoria and DEWLP were in attendance.
The campaign reminds people to be mindful that sometimes normal-seeming activities could result in bushfire arson.
Crime Stoppers Victoria Community manager, Chris Plumridge, said the community needed to stay vigilant.
“Both recklessly and deliberately lit fires are considered arson by law,” Mr Plumridge said.
“Whether it’s a campfire on a total fire ban day, or whether you’re grinding or welding and there’s a spark, reckless bushfire arson can still result in the same tragic consequences as deliberate arson.”
Superintendent Graeme Arthur echoed the call for residents to report what they know.
“Recklessly and deliberately lit fires affect the entire community, so it’s up to all of us to keep the community safe,” he said.
“As police, we can’t be everywhere, so that’s why we need the community’s support in reporting what they know, so that we can stop bushfire arson before it happens.”
If you see something, say something.
Call 1800 333 000.
