News
SAVE NOW Operation leads to arrests www.gippslandtimes.com.au
“While most people take a breather over summer, police will continue to ramp up efforts to prevent family violence, protect victims and hold their perpetrators to account. “We will continue to engage with local family violence support services such Orange Door, to ensure victims in our community always have a safe place to go.” Wellington Family Violence Investigation Unit manages approximately 60 high-risk family violence matters at any given time. Police have consistently seen a spike in family violence incidents during the summer months, with clear increases on Christmas and New Year’s Day for the past several years. Support is available through local services such as Orange Door in Bairnsdale by calling 1800 512 358. Victims can also seek help via safe steps, Victoria’s 24/7 family violence support service, by calling 1800 015 188.
Police Beat 34 at-risk family members to local family violence support services. The operation forms part of Victoria Police’s ongoing commitment in responding to family violence and managing high-risk family violence perpetrators. Detective Sergeant Mark Jolley of the Wellington Family Violence Investigation Unit said “the summer months should be a time for relaxing and spending time with family and friends in a safe environment, but for many families it is sadly the opposite”. “For the past several years we have seen a spike in family violence offending over the summer period, and we want victims to know that we will not sit idle,” Sgt Jolley said.
Grassroots policing initiative in Wellington YOUTH crime, illicit drugs and hoon driving have been identified as key community concerns that police in the Wellington area are tackling in a new back-to-basics initiative. Neighbourhood Policing sees police compile a register of issues that matter most to their local community, task officers to specifically address these concerns and report back to residents on their progress. Police work with partners like local councils, community groups and government agencies when issues are more complex. The Wellington police service area was one of eight which last year began the grassroots effort, which is now being rolled out statewide. The new police approach has been used in Sale and Stratford to boost safety in local shopping strips following feedback from local traders. Local police units were late last year deployed to doorknock businesses and increase visibility as part of a specially-created operation, resulting in at least one arrest for burglary. The initiative is now set to be expanded. Concerns about hooning were identified in Swan Reach after police circulated a dedicated email address where members of the public could raise their concerns. Patrols were boosted and a mobile speed camera requested to improve safety in the area, with similar measures taken to address hoon driving in Sale. Police have also been conducting night foot patrols in residential areas of Sale and Bairnsdale to help residents identify potential targets for thieves, such as unlocked cars and garage doors left open. Police have been actively speaking with residents, providing reassurance and enabling the community to raise other issues police can help address. Police efforts to tackle youth crime have involved collaboration with government agencies, while local residents with CCTV have been helping develop a register of camera locations to detect and deter crime. The rollout of Neighbourhood Policing to all 54 police service areas statewide is due to be completed by the end of March. Acting Senior Sergeant and Neighbourhood Policing co-ordinator for Wellington, Scott Wealands, said this initiative was about making police more accessible to the community we serve. “We're not just listening to the people of Wellington but following through on their concerns and tasking police to deal with them,” he said.
DR BELAL HANIFFA DR LYSA JENKINS DR JOU LEE DR RAAGHAV SUDAN
Same day appointments AVAILABLE NOW
!
15% OFFF OFF FF
House Tint Ti This T Month *Conditions Apply
M O B I L E W I N D OW T I N T I N G
WE HAVE YOUR
WHOLE HOME COVERED!
Wellington’s Neighbourhood Policing co-ordinator Acting Senior Sergeant Scott Wealands. Photo:
Contributed
police must be accountable to the community needs and safety concerns. “We must get the basics of policework right to prevent and deter crime. That means always listening to what’s concerning the community,” Asst Comm Hansen said. “This initiative means there will be one standard statewide of what is expected of police. “Wellington was one of the first areas to start Neighbourhood Policing and we are now rolling this initiative out to every area in the state. “It’s a wholesale shift in how Victoria Police does business.”
“We then report back to the community on what has been done. “Already we’ve seen strong results improving safety for local traders, tackling hoon behaviour and preventing residents becoming a target for thieves. “In the months ahead we’ll continue to build on this work. “The community should be assured we're listening and will continue to listen. “But importantly, we'll act and make sure they know when we do.” Assistant Commissioner and Service Delivery Transformation Command, Tim Hansen, said the
Wodonga
Gippsland
Senator:
B. McKenzie
Nil.
Population: [2019]
42,662
291,051
2019 – 2022:
$338.2 million
$550 million
Federal funding:
$7,927 per person p.a.
$1,889.70 per person p.a.
GP1639265
Federal funding received:
Please call 5144 4788 or make an appointment online via HotDocs
Elegant, comfortable and timeless options for you to choose from!
Select from a wide range of carpet and flooring designs to suit every home, budget and lifestyle. Create your own amazing space that’s practical without compromising on style.
Contact Rob today for a FREE measure & quote
Phone 5143 0266
DREAM IT. STYLE IT. LIVE IT.
23 Foster Street, Sale
BUY A GIFT CARD & SUPPORT LOCAL Sale Business & Tourism Association are thrilled to present our fabulous new Gift Cards.
O ur new gift cards provide you a simple to use EFTPOS style card redeemable at over 70 local businesses. Avaiilab ble at t: Sale Foodworks Sale Newsagency Sale Visitor Information Centre
GP1639480
When W hen yyou ou book a Full Car Tint This Month Month
Corner of Foster and Raymond Street, Sale
New patients welcome
284 Raymond St, Sale
$100 0 OFF
0488 046 145
What a difference a local Senator makes: Introduces and welcomes our new and returning doctors:
!
GP1639459
POLICE arrested and charged 12 people as part of an operation targeting high-risk family violence perpetrators in the Sale area over the summer months. Detectives from Wellington Family Violence Investigation Unit proactively engaged with 116 known family violence perpetrators who are subject to a Family Violence Intervention Order, and at-risk family members to prevent escalating abuse during the summer period. Police detected 35 breaches of Family Violence Intervention Orders between December 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022. A breach can include committing family violence, contacting the protected person or attending a prohibited address. Of the 35 breaches detected, 12 people were arrested and charged with breaching a Family Violence Intervention Order. Four people have been remanded to face court at a later date. During the operation, police served nine new Family Violence Intervention Orders and referred
Visit: www.salebta.com.au for more information and where cards can be redeemed.
Authorized by G. Hansford P.O. Box 114 Newborough 3825
Times-Spectator, Tuesday, 15 March, 2022 – Page 3
