Crime busters

Cops and community

THE community will have more opportunity to share concerns with law enforcement officers as Victoria Police moves to hold more forums in crime hot spots.

A new Geelong crime prevention network, made up of residents, councils and community groups, will receive $50,000 to deliver crime prevention initiatives.

The network will work with Victoria Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Crime Stoppers and the Department of Justice and Regulation to develop initiatives and host a series of forums where community members will have the chance to provide input into crime prevention priorities.

Similar forums and networks will be rolled out in Wyndham, Melton, Whittlesea, Cardinia, Latrobe and Ballarat before the end of the year to help determine those areas’ priorities.

Networks in Geelong, Brimbank, Dandenong, Frankston, Knox and Shepparton will be rolled out from July.

The move has been welcomed by Pakington St trader Buster Hermann whose business was twice hit during a spate of burglaries this year.

The owner of Buster’s Bar and Grill said a Geelong West community forum with police gave residents an opportunity to share their concerns.

“There was a lot of venting. A lot of people felt terrorised at the time — however, we did learn how we could be more proactive,” Mr Hermann said.

“The forum put us all on the same page.”

Acting Police Minister James Merlino said the forums would give residents the opportunity to voice concerns.

“We’ve already seen a drop in the crime rate in Geelong, and this initiative will work to build on that by strengthening the relationship between the local community and Victoria Police,” Mr Merlino said.