By Kelly Yates
TRUCK loads of police rolled into the City of Casey yesterday (Wednesday) for a mass blitz targeting crime, public safety and road issues.
More than 250 police officers saturated the streets in marked and unmarked cars, on foot and on horses for the crack down on illegal and dangerous behaviour.
Drug and alcohol buses lined the streets, with police also using the dog squad in what they say is one of the biggest operations to hit Casey.
Operation Gold was part of a two day operation, which also ran on Tuesday in Melbourne’s north west.
Police spoke to 1608 people, checked 8593 vehicles, executed 29 warrants, conducted 1157 preliminary breath tests and issued 221 penalty notices during the first Operation Gold, and predicted to come away with “similar figures” while in the City of Casey.
Police focussed on shopping centres and train stations from 10am, with people and cars being searched for weapons, drugs and stolen goods.
A command post for police was set up at the Cranbourne Racecourse.
Senior Constable Allen Inderwisch from Casey Highway Patrol said the main goal of the operation was to have a “greater police presence” throughout the municipality.
“This is a highly visible operation,” he said.
“We want people to see us and know that they will get caught if they do the wrong thing.”
Assistant Commissioner Paul Evans, head of the new Operations Support Department, agreed that the Casey community would certainly see a significant police presence on the streets.
“This encompasses everything from antisocial behaviour, weapons, crime and drug activity to road safety breaches, which won’t be tolerated,” he said.
Operation Gold ran until midnight.
