By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Police Association will stage a community rally in Berwick this weekend, calling on both sides of politics to commit extra first-response police officers to the Casey region.
At Saturday’s rally, to be held in Gloucester Avenue, Police Association Secretary Ron Iddles is set to demand an additional 155 first-response officers for Casey over the next five years.
“Casey has just 60 first-response officers for every 100,000 people in the municipality, compared to a state average of 102 for every 100,000,” Mr Iddles said.
“This gap will continue to widen with the Casey population projected to soar by a further 13 per cent over the next five years.”
Mr Iddles said he and the association were also calling for a new 24-hour police station in Casey, to cater for the municipality’s population growth.
“Despite its geographical size and population numbers, Casey is serviced by only three police stations – Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Endeavour Hills,” he said.
“Until Casey receives a boost to its policing infrastructure, its community and hard-working police members will continue to be short-changed.
“We are asking politicians of all colours to act to stop Casey from becoming a major crime hot spot of the future.
“Voters will accept nothing less. Community safety is a minimum requirement of government.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the Casey community currently received a 24-hour police response.
“In addition to this, there are specialist police servicing the whole division, including Highway Patrol, Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team and local detectives,” the spokesperson said.
“Narre Warren, Cranbourne and Endeavour Hills police stations are open 24 hours for counter service.”
Police Minister Kim Wells said the government was working closely with Chief Commissioner Ken Lay to assess the state’s policing needs.
“The Napthine Government is investing strongly in providing police officers, stations and facilities to our expanding metropolitan area,” he said.
“We are working closely with Chief Commissioner Ken Lay to assess all the infrastructure needs.
“Consistent with this ongoing commitment, further announcements regarding the Napthine Government’s law and order initiatives will be made in the lead-up to the November election.
“And those Victorians living in this expanding part of the state can be assured we won’t be making rash or ill-informed decisions.”
