Mordialloc Police Focus Group Meeting
President Ken Carney attended this recent meeting at Mordialloc Police Station. Some key points taken from the minutes follow.
Overview on region crime stats March/April 2010 as compared to same time 2009. Theft from Motor Vehicles down to 10 for April from 26 last year. Advised that Police are constantly doing plugs to the media, to advise the public to not leave keys in vehicle, or items in view from the outside of the vehicle.
* Parkdale is down on most stats, up slightly with burglary.
* Aspendale Gardens around the 4 mark for burglary, while theft of and from motor vehicles and motor vehicle damage was up to 6.
* Mordialloc had 11 thefts from motor vehicles in March.
* Will task Police to areas where they are needed to patrol problem areas.
We were advised of the purchase of a new ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) in a joint partnership of Bendigo Bank Parkdale, Rotary and Mordialloc Police. This will be used for Beachsafe and other major events. It was recently used at the Melbourne GP in March for publicity, where it received great feedback. Senior sergeant Brad Hanel invited the use of the ATV for those who need it including our wetlands.
We asked how the news of new Police numbers will help Mordialloc. We were told that there are many going through the Academy at the moment; however it will take a while to filter down to stations as new police still need to be trained and placed in the city. Mordialloc haven't had to supply members to cover city blitzes for a while now. The station has 29 members and at most times operates at about 60%.
In 2009 Mordialloc as a station issued: 1819 Penalty Notices, 312 crime prosecutions, 204 traffic prosecutions and 231 accidents were attended to.
In response to a question about promoting Police recruiting to the students as a career option Senior Sergeant Brad Hanel stated he would be happy to attend and speak about Police as a career when needed by the schools.
I thanked police for attending the Aspendale Gardens Community Day event and advised that AGRA has written to Department of Justice to attach a red light camera to the intersection of Winners Circle and Wells St and at the present time we believe there has been a reduction in the number or bikes/vehicles travelling through the wetland reserve areas. Senior Sergeant Hanel said that he will find out when the next Hoon meeting Acting Sergeant Mayne will be holding.