NEWS DESK Police patrol
With Stephen Taylor
Shire’s message of support for police MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire councillor and Victoria Police officer Julie Morris said the deaths of four police in a horror crash on the Eastern Freeway, Wednesday 22 April, had “been felt in police stations right across the state”. “I’d like to thank our local community for the flowers, cards and messages of support,” she said. “The kindness we’ve seen and your words of support are encouraging and we thank you for standing beside us at this difficult time, as we mourn and reflect on the loss of our colleagues and friends.” Cr Morris was speaking after Leading Senior Constable Lynette Taylor was farewelled at a private funeral, Thursday 30 April. She and colleagues Senior Constable Kevin King, Constable Glen Humphris and Constable Josh Prestney died on duty when they were struck by a truck, 4.30pm. Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Sam Hearn said the community’s thoughts and prayers were with their families and friends and the Victorian police fraternity. “On behalf of the council I also want to share a message of support to our local police officers throughout the peninsula,” he said. After the funeral service, police from across the peninsula and the state observed one minute’s silence, forming guards-of-honour at their stations, and by turning on their vehicles’ headlights.
Cards, gifts a boost to morale CARDS, flowers, small gifts and chocolates dropped off at police stations are huge morale boosters, Mornington’s Senior Sergeant Paul Edwards said. They come as grateful members of the public show their support for the “thin blue line” in the wake of the deaths of four police officers at Kew on 22 April. Three funerals were held at the Police Academy last week and one was planned for yesterday (Monday 4 May) at Xavier College, Kew. “We’ve had so many small presents left for us that in my 20 years of policing I have never seen such a show of support,” Senior Sergeant Edwards said. “We are overwhelmed; it has certainly helped with morale. “We seem to be making a difference and people are appreciating us and I’m sure that’s being demonstrated right across the peninsula.” A favourite gift has been coffee vouchers or pay-it-forward contributions which allows thankful police to buy their daily “fix” and then return something extra to the cafe by saying: “Keep the change”. “We try to turn it into a gift for all the community,” Senior Sergeant Edwards said.
Theman and woman police believe may be able to assist with their inquiries. Image: Supplied
Couple sought over liquor theft HASTINGS police are seeking public help in identifying a couple in relation to the alleged theft of alcohol from a shop in Baxter-Tooradin Road, Baxter, 4.40pm, Sunday 29 March. The woman, aged in her 30s, is described as Caucasian, 168cm tall, with a medium build and blonde hair. The man, also aged in his 30s, is Caucasian, 175cm tall, with a medium build. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hastings police, 5970 7800, or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppervic.com.au
Car theft charges
FLOWERS pinned to the fence outside the police station at Rye. Picture: Keith Platt
THEFTS of, and from, cars on the Mornington Peninsula have “dramatically dropped” after the arrest of four suspects last week. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tony Henry, of Somerville CIU, said the men, all in their late teens, were nabbed at Morwell but were originally from the Hastings area. The group is alleged to have stolen three cars and broken into 12 others on the peninsula as well as at Frankston, Dandenong and Croydon over a three-week period. The alleged ringleader, 18, formerly of Hastings, is facing 10 charges which include driving offences. The alleged offenders faced Frankston Magistrates’ Court last week and, because of their ages, have either been remanded or bailed to appear at the same court at a later date. “There has been a dramatic drop in offences since their arrest,” Detective Henry said.
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Southern Peninsula News 6 May 2020
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