Ranges
7 Tuesday, 17 June, 2014
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Top cop says drug crisis is set to drive crime...
Ice avalanche ICE will be the biggest challenge for local police over the next few years - according to Yarra Ranges’ top cop. Superintendent Graeme Arthur, who is the Victoria Police Divisional Commander of Division Two, which includes Yarra Ranges, Knox and Maroondah, spoke to the Mail exclusively last week about the crystal methamphetamine (ice) problem in the area. “It’s (the ice issue) is our biggest challenge of the next few years,” Supt Arthur said. “If we get rid of the ice problem, we would see a major reduction in crime.” Supt Arthur said the same sorts of crimes were happening with heroin users when he was a young policeman in the 1980s and ’90s. But the nature of that drug meant that users were often dopey and drowsy when they got their hit. “Now ice has a totally different effect,” he said. “Sometimes they are awake for five days and have a heightened sense of awareness and are alert and often are committing more crimes while they are affected by the drug. “They are not only extremely aggressive but they have no recollection of what they have done or are doing.” He said the ice epidemic was a driver for much of the volume of crime in the division, which included thefts from cars, theft of cars and other burglaries. “Right across the division, there has been an 8 per cent rise in volume crime,” he said. “The Yarra Ranges is up the same amount, and there is a reason for that. “I’m not saying it’s ice for all, but we believe there is a direct link.” Supt Arthur said the ice problem in the Yarra Ranges was no worse than other ar-
eas and that there had been dramatic increases everywhere. He said that police were aware that Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs were responsible for a lot of the distribution and manufacture of ice and that’s why there was a concentrated effort by police to target these groups. “We’ve done a lot of work on OMCG in the area, Kilsyth, Bayswater, and most would remember a recent raid on a licensed premises and gymnasium in Healesville,” he said. “We also rely on information from members of the pubic, it’s not just a policing issue; it’s a whole of community issue. “Our motto is ‘if you see something, say something’.” The expensive nature of ice and the increase in crime has a direct link, according to Supt Arthur. “It’s now costing users between $700 and $1000 a gram,” he said. “This is why we have addicts breaking into cars and shops - they are selling anything they can get their hands on.” He said because of the expense, one addict would, in effect, cause a mini crime wave on their own and mentioned a recent spate of thefts from cars in Upwey and Boronia that could be linked to drug use. “Burglaries in cafes, car washes petrol stations and other small shops that might leave money in tills overnight is up by 15 to 20 per cent,” he said. “It’s about anywhere they can get their hands on money and the general link to these is ice.” Local police also discovered and arrested a syndicate last year in which ice was bought with stolen computers and iPads. “We had over 100 school burglaries last year where they were stealing laptops and computers,” Supt Arthur said. Continued page 3
From left, Taylah, Jessica, Beth and Abbey with teacher Michael Hyett. Behind them is the Picture: ROB CAREW donated quilt which is to be sold to raise money. 121339
Thrill and chill of the challenge IT’S going to mean cold nights, homesickness and physical exhaustion but students at Monbulk College plan to take it all in their stride when they visit Nepal for a month later this year. In November, 19 students and two teachers will visit Nepal for a 15-day trek before undertaking community work at a school or orphanage as part of their World Challenge. Teacher Matt Hyett said that the idea of the challenge was for students to get world experience. He said each student needed to apply to be a part of the trip and that more than 30 students had
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made inquiries. “Each student needs to raise $6500 each to pay their way, but they are also working hard to raise money for the underprivileged in Nepal, too.” The Mail met with Year 10 students Taylah, Jessica, Beth and Abbey, all taking part in the challenge. “It will definitely change us,” Jessica said. “I think it will give us a different perspective on life,” Abbey said. These girls made a presentation to the Inner Wheel Club of Wandin last month, talking to the ladies about what they were planning to do in Nepal.
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Club members were so impressed with their attitude and presentation that they presented the girls with a cheque for $500. President Pauline Barrett said members of the Inner Wheel Club of Wandin were delighted to be able to support the group with their endeavours. “Val Corbett was generous in providing a patchwork quilt for the students to raffle and raise funds,” she said. The quilt will be raffled later this year and there will be other fund-raisers in and around Monbulk. –Melissa Meehan
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By MELISSA MEEHAN