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Tuesday, 10 December, 2013 Page 3
Robbers hit the streets By ALESHA CAPONE BRIMBANK police have stepped up action to cut down on the rising rate of street robberies in the municipality, often committed by youths high on drugs and alcohol. Brimbank Police Inspector Chris Gilbert has told Star street robberies account for a “substantial amount” of all robberies recorded in th area. Insp Gilbert said officers believe high unemployment levels and increasing levels of amphetamine use have been causing the street robberies. Victims of the robberies have
often been leaving public transport hubs at night. Insp Gilbert said because many train stations on the Watergardens line are now staffed by protective services officers (PSOs) during evenings, offenders have been committing robberies in the street rather than at transport locations. “We’ve had some people robbed after getting off NightRider buses very late on weekends and that’s virtually when there’s no people around at all and businesses are shut,” he said. Insp Gilbert said arrests have already been made in relation to the street robberies.
He said police believe teenagers and young adults, possibly taking drugs or alcohol, have been committing some of the crimes. “You know when they’re committing an offence which results in big jail time, just to steal one mobile phone or small amount of cash off someone, it’s not worth it and they haven’t put much thought into it,” he said. Insp Gilbert said since Brimbank recorded a 25 per cent rise in robberies between September 2012 and October this year, the rates dropped during November. Insp Gilbert said many residents in Brimbank relied solely on public
transport so police have been working to address the vulnerability of victims and the causes of the crimes. Insp Gilbert said a police campaign to crack down on anti-social behavior, such as public liquor consumption in the Sunshine CBD has been successful across the past few months. He said police have since begun been dedicating more hours, including foot patrols, to various suburban business centres throughout Brimbank. “We’re already spending time at Watergardens and in St Albans and certainly we’ll be in Deer Park a bit more as well,” Insp Gilbert said.
Commuter solutions MORE than 200 new car parks could be constructed for the Keilor Plains train station if a planning application is approved. Brimbank City Council has received a proposal from the Public Transport Corporation (PTC) to build approximately 220 new commuter car spaces at 2/336 Main Rd West in St Albans. City development director, Stuart Menzies, said the planning application has requested permission to add new car spots to the south of the existing Keilor Plains car park. The PTC has estimated the project could cost around $700,000. The proposal to install new car spaces comes after last month when Brimbank City Council released its Transport Priorities Paper (TPP). The document has been designed to help guide the council’s future advocacy to the State Government and other agencies. A section of the TPP focuses on the need for more car parks at stations located along the Sunbury line. “There is a significant shortfall of commuter parking at train stations,” the report said. “Cars are inappropriately parked in neighbouring streets and on reserves, causing damage to council and railway infrastructure. “This practice is also causing amenity issues and at times, restricting access ways and making areas unsafe for other users and pedestrians. “A review of the supply of commuter parking facilities at all railway stations in Brimbank is required, with a plan for increasing the available car parking to be developed.” The TPP also said the Zone One ticket fare border for Brimbank trains should be extended beyond Albion station. The report said this would make public transport more affordable, spread the commuter parking demands across more stations and create a fair ticket system comparable to the rest of metropolitan Melbourne.
Road rage assault
Rekiah remembered in mural’s colours By ALESHA CAPONE A POIGNANT memorial honouring a Sunshine North woman killed in an act of domestic violence has been installed at the Brimbank Youth Resource Centre. Rekiah ‘Kiah’ O’Donnell was just 22 years old when she was allegedly shot by her ex-boyfriend during October. Brimbank City Council and its White Ribbon Working group have supported two of Ms O’Donnell’s friends, Bethany Joy and Daniel Robinson, who wanted to create a tribute in her memory.
Mr Robinson has painted a mural which says RIP KIAH and includes the White Ribbon motto of ‘Australia’s Campaign to Stop Violence Against Women’. The artwork has been erected at the Brimbank Youth Resource Centre in St Albans. The mural was launched with a barbecue to mark the annual White Ribbon campaign, which aims to eliminate male violence against women. In a post on the event’s Facebook page, Ms Joy encouraged other females experiencing family violence
to seek help. “Kiah would never let anyone forget and she’d let everyone know about it if this had happened to one of her friends so we will do the same,” Ms Joy said. “We won’t let your story fade out and or disappear, we will continue to spread your story in the hope that we will help change lives of others via your story.” The CEO of Women’s Health West Dr Robyn Gregory, said they have experienced a 35 per cent increase family violence referrals from police across the past year.
This has led to WHW delegating resources away from helping longterm clients to assist the emergency response team, she said. “We’re having to make some really tough decisions about who gets help and who doesn’t,” Dr Gregory said. “We are really struggling to meet increasing demand for family violence services would appreciate anything the Government could do to assist.” For help, call Women’s Health West on 9689 9588 during business hours or after hours on 9373 0123.
Getinearlyforsummer
POLICE have appealed for witnesses to come forward after a male was assaulted following a road rage incident on the Western Ring Rd in Sunshine West last month. Police said they believe the Mooroolbark man was driving a Mitsubishi Triton ute south on the Western Ring Road at around 12.30pm on 28 November. The 48-year-old driver was allegedly cut off by a dark-coloured Hyundai Excel. Both motorists pulled into the emergency stopping lane between Ballarat Rd and Boundary Rd after a verbal altercation. Two people allegedly got out of the Hyundai and punched the ute driver in the face before fleeing the scene. The victim drove to a service station where he collapsed unconscious and was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Police are seeking a clean shaven man, in his late 20s to early 30s, around 175cm tall with a thin-to-medium build and short, dark hair. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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A memorial has been erected at the Brimbank Youth Resource Centre in St Albans in honour of Sunshine woman Rekiah O’Donnell who Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI was killed in an act of domestic violence earlier this year. 111428