watches from shadows
Gotcha: Shadow Taskforce police make their move in central Frankston. Pictures: Gary Sissons
The taskforce’s focus is on highvolume crime which is plaguing Frankston and surrounding suburbs – such as thefts of cars and thefts from cars, drug use, crop houses, trafficking, street violence, shop stealing, and burglaries. They “relentlessly monitor and track” high-risk offenders, with any means available, and use their powers to have them remanded in custody and off the streets whenever possible. “Our charter is to protect community safety and we will use the full
force of the law to ensure that,” Sgt McGorrery said. The arrest of two known criminals in a stolen car in Skye Rd, Frankston, on Monday 4 July, illustrates the effectiveness of the taskforce through its ability to keep tabs on known offenders while going unnoticed themselves. Their male and female targets – unaware they were being watched – got such a shock when police pounced that they sped off in panic, crashing the Holden Calais and sending the man, 24, through the windscreen. He
was being treated for spinal injuries at Frankston Hospital last week. The couple was remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 30 August: she on charges of car theft, conduct endangering life and evading police; he on charges of car theft, and various drug and traffic offences. The mistake they made was to underestimate the forces being used against them. This proactive policing is seen to be working. Statistics collected through a community survey show public confidence in police is up 3 per cent; satisfaction with public order policing is up 4 per cent, and satisfaction with police and public contact is up 7 per cent. The taskforce exploits younger criminals’ desire for gossip and braggadocio on social media, as well as through online sales and secondhand dealer sales of stolen goods. “We gather intelligence anyway we can,” Sgt McGorrery said. “We have found that swift responding is often our best weapon.” Debriefing offenders often leads to the arrest of other criminals. Recently, Shadow Taskforce members raided the house of a known drug trafficker, only to meet – and arrest – one of Frankston’s most prolific ice dealers who just happened to be visiting. Was this a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or an example of proactive policing coming up trumps? The taskforce sets out to hunt offenders, but Sgt McGorrery describes it as “victim focused”.
MID YEAR CARAVAN
“We want to support victims and put resources in place to help them, as well as cementing strategies in place to reduce the chance of further victims,” he said. This support may include assistance with installing security doors, CCTV, phones or security. “Victims, especially, want us to catch offenders,” he said. “And their assistance in providing clues and details of offenders for police – even the smallest piece of information – can prove vital in nailing a culprit.” In one case a thief stole his younger brother’s car and was at large for three months. Taskforce members helped him get back his car, earning his gratitude and appreciation. Being proactive against youths congregating in central Frankston, especially in the evening when they can be affected by ice or alcohol, is a major focus. “One of our biggest tools is disruption policing,” Sgt McGorrey said. “We know youths congregate in the CBD and around the cinema complex, and this is often a catalyst for crime, especially violence, so we act quickly and move them on. “Other young people and families should feel safe in town and not threatened.” Keeping a covert eye on crime – especially potential crime – is the role of a taskforce whose members may not be seen, but whose presence can be felt by those in the shadows. Might be best for them to come into the light.
Robbery charges SOUTHERN Metropolitan Region Crime Team Investigators have charged an 18-year-old Langwarrin man following two aggravated burglaries and a burglary in Rosebud in which a Kia car was stolen. They occurred at houses in Eighth Av and Tarwarri Av, 8 July. Police arrested the man at 7.40am Wednesday. He was charged with numerous offences, including aggravated burglary, intentionally causing injury, assault, theft and burglary. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on a later date. The Kia was recovered at Langwarrin Football Club the following day. Sergeant Anthoula Moutis, of the media unit, said the police has escalated their responses to aggravated burglaries and carjackings across the state. At the start of May, under Operation Cosmas, police were given more resources to prevent, deter and investigate aggravated burglaries and carjackings. Day and night patrols are being conducted in high risk areas to prevent offences taking place. Since the operation began there have been more than 75 arrests.
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18 July 2016
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