By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey’s recent mayor has denied the council was consulted prior to Victoria Police going ahead with the weekend-night closure of Endeavour Hills police station on 6 November.
The State Government and police had shelved the trial in September after strident criticism from the Police Association and Casey council.
In a statement, Victoria Police said the three-month trial – which includes extra police patrols – was reinstated after holding a “range” of forums.
The consultation included “discussion and early notification” to community groups, local media, Casey Council representatives and the Police Association.
Re-elected Casey councillor Sam Aziz denied the council was consulted on the trial as well as Police Minister Lisa Neville’s recent claim that she invited Casey to discussions on law-and-order.
“Our CEO (Mike Tyler) has written (to the State Government) asking where is the evidence that you have invited us,” Cr Aziz said.
“We never had a letter or a phone call.”
Cr Aziz said the council would “not relent” lobbying for law-and-order measures to tackle an escalating crime rate in the region “until the Government starts listening”.
“I can only imagine the people of Endeavour Hills and surrounding areas will be disappointed by this station closure.
“We need more police on the beat as well as at the police station to address issues that can’t be resolved on a triple zero call.
“For victims of family violence, police stations may be the last refuge.
“What will they do if the police station doors are shut?”
As part of the trial, the once 24-hour police station’s front counter will be closed at 5pm on weekends rather than at 11pm.
Casey police Inspector Donald Brown said the move would “maximise the amount of time police are out on patrol and responding to crime”.
“We believe that this view is shared by most people in the community.”
He said a local management review had found low numbers of people attending or phoning the station, especially on weekends.
A spokesman for Police Minister Lisa Neville said the trial’s success will be assessed with local communities and senior police command.
“There will be no changes to counter hours without community consultation and evidence that police responses improve.”
Opposition police spokesman Ed O’Donohue said he was concerned that the opening hours cut came during a “frontline police numbers crisis”.
“Despite surging crime in Casey, local police stations at Endeavour Hills, Narre Warren and Cranbourne are stretched to the limit with calls for a new police station at Clyde.”
Twenty additional frontline police are expected in Casey as part of a 300-officer statewide rollout in April.
Police said that the Narre Warren police station counter will remain open for 24 hours a day and that urgent police assistance should be sought by calling triple zero.
