Police in CBD clean-up
SPECIALISED police from Melbourne have again been called in to help local officers as part of a renewed push to clean up Geelong’s notorious mall precinct.
Transit Safety Division police from Melbourne helped local members conduct a twoday operation around transport hubs including the troubled Moorabool St bus stop.
Operation Moorabool, carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, netted 12 people in relation to offences including outstanding warrants, drug possession and criminal damage. On top of this, 176 people received infringement notices, while close to 2300 people had their tickets checked.
City security has come under increasing scrutiny following a number of violent assaults last month that led police to enforce the rolling initiative Operation City that began with mounted police patrolling the city.
Geelong police Acting Sergeant Anne Elliott said members had been speaking to citizens to ensure they could understand the concerns local residents had regarding safety in central Geelong.
“(It is about) improving per- ception of safety in the community,” Sgt Elliott said.
“We have had lots of positive comments from the community, particularly in Market Square.”
She said police had arrested people for drunk and disorderly behaviour, a common problem in the mall, and had noticed a reduction in the number of people committing offences during the operation.
On Thursday, two men were apprehended by uniformed and plainclothes officers outside the Sporting Globe. One was wanted on warrants while the second was allegedly carrying drugs.
An increased police presence comes amid a state Opposition and mayoral push to install a permanent police kiosk in the mall.
But the State Government is not backing the call for a high-profile police kiosk in Geelong’s CBD.
It has instead committed $5 million to buy five mobile police vans that would be used in high-need areas, including Geelong.
Superintendent Craig Gillard said a highly visible police presence at public transport hubs across the Geelong area reinforced the force’s commitment to community safety.