Mobile police van’s value can’t be beat
MORE than just a feeling of safety comes with the presence of a new mobile police beat which is helping keep the Townsville CBD free of drunken and anti-social behaviour.
The $150,000 station on wheels was launched on June 2 as an asset for the Townsville district, but is making a huge difference in the CBD.
In almost three weeks, 61 offenders have been dealt with, 640 litres of alcohol has been tipped out, 50 move-on
directions have been issued and 14 banning notices handed out.
Inspector Dean Cavanagh said the van enabled officers to work on the scene when it was needed most.
“We are of the opinion that everyone has the right to enjoy the public areas in Townsville,” Inspector Cavanagh said.
“Most people who are causing trouble are leaving (the area) just with the presence of the van.”
Earlier this year, police began to crack down on unruly behaviour in the CBD after complaints from businesses.
Officers have spoken with 380 CBD business people, who are singing their praises for the change already made.
While the Townsville Bulletin was visiting the beat parked at Bulletin Square on Tuesday, officers sprung into action and waved down a bike-riding man they needed to speak with.
Another two people also approached the van in that time to speak with officers.
Crews also spoke of an incident where a distressed woman ran to the van and reported a man who was harassing her nearby. They were able to resolve the situation at the scene.
Inspector Cavanagh said this kind of interaction was one of the core purposes of the van.
“We get a lot of people just coming up and wanting to talk, commenting about how they feel safer having lunch.
“People are also coming up and saying they have seen something up the road … so we can go and check it out.”
Inspector Cavanagh said police and non-government agencies were always looking for long-term solutions to the CBD issues.
He’s hoping a second mobile police beat will be rolled out in the region in the future.
WE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO ENJOY THE PUBLIC AREAS IN TOWNSVILLE
DEAN CAVANAGH