CRIME FIGHT: FED-UP LOCALS UNITE

Fed-up with break-ins, residents unite and seek police meeting

NEWTOWN residents have banded together to fight the growing crime rate in their suburb by installing thousands of dollars’ worth of security equipment.

Locals say they’re fed-up with the constant break-ins plaguing their “once quiet” suburb and are now calling for a community meeting with police to discuss what can be done.

Concerned resident Thane Joske said while they were obviously disappointed the break-ins had escalated over the past month, a few positives had come out of it.

“It’s united our community,” she said.

“We’ve got a neighbourhood text messaging and bush telegraph system in place so now we can keep each other informed.”

Newtown resident Felicity, asked for her last name to be withheld but said residents just wanted some support and to see some tangible action.

“There is a real sense that this is escalating,” she said. “The shop fronts on Pakington are just some of the issues and I’m really glad to see it be highlighted, but as residents we’re also at a loss at what to do.”

“There’s this sense of hopelessness,” she said. “We’re not getting on top of this; they’re getting on top of us.”

Felicity said her child had witnessed a daylight break-in to their next-door neighbour’s house and had been traumatised by the event.

“These burglaries are happening in prime time when kids are coming home from school and happening in front of kids, while parents and guardians are doing short runs in between sport pick-ups and errands.”

She said neighbours had got together to install thousands of dollars’ worth of security equipment in their street.

A Victoria Police spokesman said the previous com- munity meeting had been organised on May 29 at Geelong West Town Hall and they encouraged concerned residents to contact them.

“Victoria Police regularly hosts community meetings in the Geelong area and around the state,” the spokesman said.

“These meetings . . . can be great opportunities for police to provide an update on what is happening in the local area as well as addressing any questions or issues residents may have.”

“There’s this sense of hopelessness ... we’re not getting on top of this; they’re getting on top of us.” NEWTOWN RESIDENT FELICITY