By Cam Lucadou-Wells
GOVERNMENT subsidies should be extended to home CCTV and security alarms to help improve community safety, says a Berwick crime-prevention forum organiser.
The organiser ‘Brett’, whose Beaumont Waters estate home was invaded by a carload of burglars on 13 August, says widespread home security would make it harder for home invaders.
In response, ‘Brett’ – who doesn’t wish to be named – hopes to educate other residents with talks from home security experts, police, politicians and self-defence exponents at the Casey Residents Crime Prevention Gathering on 10 September.
He said he wanted the community to take constructive responsiblity as others call for hardline responses like increasing police and sentences for violent carjackings and aggravated burglaries.
“It’s the ones who aren’t directly affected who want direct action.
“Once it happens to you, you probably realise you brought it on yourself to an extent.
“If I was to get on my high horse about anything, I’d like the State Government to subsidise alarms and CCTV – like they do with solar panels and insulation.”
Burglary victims can apply for funding at Victims Of Crime Assistance Tribunal for home security but “wouldn’t we rather it came before the crime occurs?” Brett says.
Soon after their home was invaded, Brett’s children remain too terrified to sleep. Brett himself says the crime is on his mind constantly.
Meanwhile, Berwick couple Shaun and Melinda Butler – whose cars were stolen in a home invasion – watched in the public gallery as Casey Council voted unanimously at a special meeting on 1 September to continue lobbying for ramped-up law and order measures.
The Butlers remain traumatised several months after burglars crept into their unlocked housing estate home early one morning as three children slept with open bedroom doors.
The intruders stole phones, tablets, house and car keys – and then both cars.
One of the recovered cars was crashed and written-off, the other attracted three red-light and speed-camera infringements.
“We have lived there nine years. We thought this would be the last place this would happen,” Ms Butler said.
“People say they sleep with keys under their pillow. I say don’t do it – they’ll come find them.”
Two weeks later, the burglars tried to break in again but were deterred by changed locks and a new security door.
Two juveniles out of seven suspects were arrested. One of the teens – on bail at the time over charges of bashing an elderly couple – was then bailed again.
His lawyer successfully argued for a more lenient night curfew so as to not interfere with the teen’s love-life, Ms Butler bitterly recalls.
The Butlers’ insurer refused to pay the excess on the stolen vehicles because the offenders were juveniles.
Mr Butler, medicated for a subsequent nervous breakdown, sleeps “on edge” and regularly checks out noises outside at night. Within reach of the bed is a cricket bat.
All up, the Butlers are out of pocket about $5000. Worse is they just don’t feel safe, Mr Butler said.
Mayor Sam Aziz, who launched the council motion, said Casey was facing “nothing short of a security epidemic”.
Cr Aziz noted that 26 homes in another Berwick housing estate had been burgled in the past fortnight.
One of the victims was a parish priest and family who were not only ransacked but had paint and eggs smeared on walls and furniture while they were at church on a Sunday morning, he said.
Under the special motion, the council will lobby Chief Magistrate of Victoria Peter Lauritsen for tougher sentencing.
It will also express “extreme disappointment” at the trialled closure of Endeavour Hills police station on weekend nights, and call for a new station at Clyde North.
Police Minister Lisa Neville and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton will also be lobbied.
The motion also echoes La Trobe MP Jason Wood’s calls for a federal-state policing taskforce to combat violent street gangs and for dual citizens to be deported if they commit a violent crime in a gang setting and receive a jail sentence.
It also congratulated the State Government for legislating new offences such as carjacking and home invasion with statutory minimum sentences for an increase in police numbers for Casey.
The Casey Residents Crime Prevention Gathering is at Sweeney Reserve, Berwick from 2pm on 10 September. It includes a free sausage sizzle and soft drinks.
Details: www.facebook.com/Casey-Residents-Crime-Prevention-Gathering-1099742403453629/
