Let’s talk!
Bullies pick on scooter rider HASTINGS police are looking into incidences around the town of elderly users of mobility scooters being stood over and bullied by youths. Mornington Peninsula Shire mobility scooter ambassador Fran Henke went to the police after hearing from a friend who intervened last week when a woman was being bullied by eight youths in the Ritchie’s arcade. “I wanted advice on the kind of personal alarm that mobility scooter users might carry,” Mrs Henke said. “But, coincidentally, another person at the police station was making a related inquiry so I joined in. “The man had three pages listing similar events and said his wife was now too scared to go out on her scooter. He identified the group of youths responsible for the bullying as living on the eastern side of Hastings. “In the arcade, however, the youths were reportedly wearing a local school uniform. This was the terrified woman’s second time of being mobbed. “On the previous occasion she said the youths demanded she get off her scooter and give them a ride. When she said no one thrust his fist in her face threateningly.” In another instance, a witness saw an elderly man buy cigarettes at Richie’s rebuilt cigarette counter: outside waiting for him was a mob which demanded the packet. “He just had to hand it over,” the witness said. Scooters users have been advised to carry a small, loud alarm to alert passers-by if they require assistance. Mrs Henke said a Hastings police officer said alarms were available online and she bought one
How do you move around in Somers? We’re keen to hear your thoughts on what facilities, if any, you would like to improve walking, cycling and pedestrian movement in Somers. Whatever your views are on footpaths, crossings, pedestrian safety, mobility restrictions… Council wants to listen.
for $13. She said she had “been assured that a taskforce is being planned to look into this problem”. “For those of us who can’t walk far, mobility scooters are a boon, getting us out into the community, into the fresh air, rather than being isolated,” Mrs Henke said. “It is appalling that elderly people can’t move around in their town in safety”. Mrs Henke suggests having an alarm within easy reach on the scooter; carrying a mobile phone (but not visibly); dialling 000 if sensing trouble; planning scooter trips in peopled areas, and don’t leave a purse or phone in an open basket where they might easily be grabbed. Stephen Taylor
Tell us your ideas! In person Share your thoughts directly with Councillors: Forward Planning Committee Meeting Date: Thursday 15 June Time: 6.30pm Location: Balnarring Hall, 3041 Frankston – Flinders Rd, Balnarring To speak at this meeting register at the ‘Your Say’ section of the Shire’s website under ‘Somers Pedestrian Feedback’ by 5pm Monday 12 June 2017. mornpen.vic.gov.au/yoursay
Cameras focus on safety THE death of David Cassai in Rye on New Year’s Eve 2012 was the catalyst for the installation of street CCTV cameras last week. Flinders MP Greg Hunt met with community leaders on Friday 19 May to announce that the federal government had provided $200,000 for six CCTV cameras covering the foreshore and shopping precinct. “That fatal one-punch hit took the life of an innocent young man and sent a ripple-effect through an entire community,” he said. Mr Cassai’s mother Caterina Politi said she hoped the cameras would help reduce violent and anti-social behaviour. “I hope the cameras only capture butterflies, rather than violence” she said. “In the unfortunate event of an incident, these cameras are incredibly important.”
Online If you can’t attend the meeting, or would like further information, please visit our website and select ‘Somers Pedestrian Feedback’ to share your ideas with us by 5pm Monday 12 June 2017. mornpen.vic.gov.au/yoursay We welcome your input, and if you have any queries please contact our infrastructure planning team by phone or email. 5950 1272 somerspedestrians@mornpen.vic.gov.au
JUNE LONG WEEKEND
25% OFF E VERY THING
*
STOREWIDE MUST END MONDAY 12TH JUNE BUY NOW PAY LATER! 6 MONTHS 0% INTEREST
CHARLIE
HAMPTONS
3 seater sofa in aurora lagoon fabric
180w entertainment unit 2dr 2drw in white
WAS NOW
$2799
$2099
WAS
$1049
$787
NOW
SMILE
LOPEZ
coffee table in clear lacquer
designer chair in tuscan platinum fabric
WAS
$1199
$899 side table WAS $529 NOW $397 NOW
WAS NOW
$1049
$787
PORTSEA bookshelf in white wash WAS NOW
$1049
$787
www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au 25% off storewide and online long weekend sale available on all new orders of furniture and homewares from 03-06-2017 till 12-06-2017 inclusive. Excludes Glasshouse and Circa candles and purchases of gift cards. Not available in conjunction with Super Savers or Zip money finance. Online orders discount excludes shipping. Terms and conditions apply see www.ozdesignfurniture.com.au for more information.
OZ DESIGN FURNITURE MORNINGTON PH: 8560 1137, SHOWROOM D4, PENINSULA HOME, 1128-1132 NEPEAN HIGHWAY VIC LOCATIONS: BENDIGO 8692 2589, ESSENDON 8560 1130, GEELONG 8560 1124, HOPPERS CROSSING 8560 1141, MORNINGTON 8560 1137, NOW OPEN NARRE WARREN 8590 1160, NORTHLAND 9471 0244, NUNAWADING 9894 1566, RICHMOND 8560 1120
Western Port News 6 June 2017
PAGE 9