Community seeks more foot patrols

Community members have called for increased police foot patrols and Neighbourhood Watch groups to make them feel safer.

A statewide Victoria Police survey in July and August called on community members to have their say on police services in the Baw Baw police services area.

The survey focussed on safety concerns, safety improvements ideas and trust and confidence in local police.

The survey asked community members to comment on safety concerns; how safe they feel within their community; and, police services they believe would add value to the community.

Baw Baw psa acting inspector Glenn Parke said the top concerns recognised by community members were the safety of their property and possessions; alcohol and other drugs; and road safety.

He said safety at night and family violence also emerged as concern areas.

Acting insp Parke said increased foot patrols by police was identified as the top priority, followed by an increased presence of Neighbourhood Watch.

“The survey was an opportunity for us to seek information directly from the community about their areas of concern and give us feedback on what they want to see us do to address their concerns,” he said.

With recent additional police allocations across the area, acting insp Parke said foot patrols had increased around the central business district.

“We have been able to do that with the extra resources we now have and we also have increased our night shift service delivery which will be a permanent change – and that helps to address community concerns around safety at night.

“We will continue to work towards having more foot and bike patrols in the community as often as we can,” he said.

Acting insp Parke said police also would work on its Neighbourhood Watch strategy and media and Facebook Eyewatch information to improve engagement with the community.

The survey results showed people felt most safe in their homes, at large shopping centres and strip shopping areas.

The environments where people felt least safe were at train stations and on public buses.

The survey asked community members to rate in order of preference, what police services they believed would add value to the community.

The suggested services included police attending community events, foot patrols, bike patrols, coffee with a cop sessions, community information sessions, Neighbourhood Watch, and increased sharing of information through media and social media.

Acting insp Parke said people were most concerned about the safety of their property and possessions which was a reflection of increased property crime statistics over the past 12 months.

He said burglary and thefts from cars were priority offences that local police were constantly working on to reduce.

“That is something the community can help us with because a lot of it related to unlocked homes or even vehicles with keys in it.

He said there had been a reduction in property theft over the past three months which was pleasing.

Acting insp Park said drug and alcohol use in the community and road safety also were key issues.

“Drugs and alcohol continue to be an issue in the community. Local police are continuing t work with local drug and alcohol stakeholders to reduce crime in the area.

“Road safety is a continued focus for us as it is across the state. The Baw Baw psa has experienced an increase in serious injury collisions, which is a concern to us, even though fatalities are at zero,” he said.