Cop shop patrol compo

More police at hot spots after Waurn Ponds’ hours cut

THE Waurn Ponds community will have more police patrols at shopping centres and teenage hot spots as consolation for its police station’s hours being halved.

About 20 people attended a forum at the local library on Friday night, when police spoke about the Waurn Ponds station dropping from a 16- hour to an eight-hour daily cop shop.

Police Inspector Graham Banks said, while residents didn’t want to have to choose between on-the-road or behind-the-counter policing, they had agreed patrols were the priority.

“Whilst the residents in attendance expressed a desire to have the same counter hours and increased patrols, the most important service was seen as active patrols by police and more timely attendance at an emergency,” he said.

The decision to cut counter hours drew criticism when first announced last week, before it was then promoted as a threemonth trial.

“Under the trial, which will last for three months, Waurn Ponds will have additional units, including foot patrols of local shopping precincts and places where youths regularly congregate,” Insp Banks said.

The forum’s time and location were only revealed the day before, and South Barwon MP Andrew Katos said he believed more people would have attended if they were given more notice.

He said it was disappointing to see no State Government representatives at the forum.

“It’s disappointing they didn’t send someone, even just an adviser or someone who works for them, to hear what people were saying,” Mr Katos said.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said she was unable to attend due to a “personal commitment”, but said she had phoned the police superintendent that night to brief her on the outcome.

“Police committed to ongoing discussions with residents about the best policing model to keep communities safe,” Ms Neville said. “They also apologised for not consulting and talking with the community before this decision was made.

“The issues raised on Friday night will also be passed on to the Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton — who allocates police and has already indicated that new police officers currently in training will come to the growing communities in Geelong.”