Night cops safe

By Casey Neill
SENIOR police say Boronia police station’s night shift is safe.
The statement comes after speculation that an internal review may recommend an end to the shift, leaving the station unmanned at night.
“That’s not going to happen,” District Inspector Mick Beattie said this week.
He said a three month long review of the station’s night staff workload was being completed but that the night shift watch house keeper would not be removed.
“Like any business we’re constantly looking at how we manage our business. People are jumping to conclusions all over the place,” he said.
Insp Beattie said he was unaware of any ban on police at the station from talking to the press following media reports last week that the station could be closed at night.
Boronia’s Acting Senior Sergeant Dave Yeoman said reviews of staffing allocations were regularly undertaken across the state.
“At the moment we’re looking at the workload of our night shift workers,” he said.
“I would be very surprised if anything changes.”
Act Sen Sgt Yeoman expected the results of the review to be known by next month’s Boronia Crime Forum.
Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling said he was surprised that a review had been undertaken at a time when community concerns over police numbers were heightened.
“The community made it very clear that they need a greater police presence,” he said.
“Boronia residents would be very concerned to hear of the potential removal of staff.”
Boronia trader Julie Brideson was angered and upset by the thought of the station being closed at night, ‘to put it lightly’.
“It’s the last thing Boronia needs right now,” she said.
Her Boronia Village business, Knoxville Dog Grooming, is located three doors down from Bangkok Gardens Thai Restaurant, which was gutted by arson earlier this year.
“The two biggest crimes that Boronia’s had in recent months have happened at night,” she said.
“Why cut shifts back at a time when we need it the most?”
Ms Brideson has been collecting signatures from local traders and residents to push for greater police numbers and funding to install closed circuit television cameras.
The two petitions follow vandalism, arson and a recent stabbing in the suburb.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood was concerned about what a closure of the station at night would mean for those in need.
“As a former police officer that worked there at the counter, this is very bad news,” he said.
“People who come to the police station at night have usually had the worst incident of their life.”
Mr Wood said rape and serious assaults were more commonly reported at night.
“There’s someone right there and then to help them out,” he said.
Mr Wood said the State Government was responsible for a shortfall of members at the station.
“The Government’s not addressing the issue of police resources. The police are juggling what they have.”
Anyone who wants to get involved with the petitions can call Julie Brideson on 9762 4846.