By Ethan Benedicto
As car thefts and burglaries become rife, Victoria Police, the Neighbourhood Watch, RACV and local CFA members came down to Eden Rise Village, showcasing new safety measures and a push for safer communities.
On Thursday, 3 April, running from 12pm to 3pm, VicPol led a drive-by service that had motorists’ number plate screws swapped out for anti-theft screws, alongside free tyre and battery checks.
Inspector Stuart Richards said that their effort on the day was to “try and reduce the incidents of theft of number plates in the community”.
“What we’ve noticed from the recent statistics that came out is that the City of Casey has the highest prevalence of number plate thefts in the state.
“It’s unfortunate; it’s not a moniker we want, but it’s reality, and they’re usually being stolen from public places,” he said.
Richards added that there a number of shopping complexes in the LGA that have seen these number plate thefts, but also community locations from car parks, sporting clubs, recreational reserves and “areas like Eden Rise Village”.
“Criminals will still try to steal the number plates, but in doing so, they’ll damage the plate to the point where they can’t reuse them,” Richards said.
“What we’re trying to do is put barriers in place against the easy theft of plates, and while they’re not the perfect solution, they’re better than having nothing.”
The car park adjacent to O’Shea Road didn’t take long to fill, with cars and residents eager to get their plates’ screws changed.
By 12:30, the line had extended further into the car park’s entry, with a steady flow of vehicles coming in and out as it headed to 1pm.
The area was split into two lanes, with the Neighbourhood Watch leading the plate screw switch alongside VicPol, and another lane for RACV check-ups.
Jo Ann Fitzgerald, secretary and treasurer of the Nighbourhood Watch, said that the work and partnership between all parties present “is important for Casey”.
“We partner up throughout Casey with different people to show our strength together and how to be safe together.
“Whether it’s how to check a barbecue, how to check a child restraint in the car, even locking your vehicle, and this, all of this is very important.
“This keeps us safe, and it stops theft,” she said.
Amanda, a local resident who was keen to get her plates checked and screws swapped if needed said that there was a “goodness” to see the level of contribution from everyone, and for the opportunity that it provides people.
“Our street’s been hit ridiculously with number plate thefts and also just break-ins for cars,” she said.
“So it’s just like, I don’t know if I have them (screws) or not, so why not make sure? You might as well be safe, right?”
First Constable Ben Chambers sees the collaboration and community event as a “push to alleviate” the amount of thefts and burglaries in the area.
“A really good preventative strategy for that is safe screws, it just makes it a lot harder for, would-be criminals to take the plates off cars,” he said.
Earnest Tay, from the local CFA branch, said that aside from the physical work that is being done, everyone’s presence is good for “community engagement”.
“We do a lot of these events, and it’s about getting out and letting people see what we do,” he said.
“And it brings awareness, and in this case, it’s about license plates, which contributes to that safety on the roads.
“Roads are a big part of the community, and safety on them means safety for the people.”
Inside the shopping centre were police officers holding coffee with a cop, engaging residents with their concerns and questions.
