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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

More police planned

 

Premier Mr Bob Carr, Police Minster Mr Michael Costa and Member for Peats, Ms Marie Andrews, were at Woy Woy Police station on Friday, September 27, to announce increased police numbers for the station.

Mr Carr had lunch at Gnostic Mana café before he and Ms Andrews walked down Blackwall Rd speaking to locals about issues including policing on the Peninsula.

Meeting Mr Costa at Woy Woy Police station, Mr Carr and Ms Marie Andrews announced at least 15 general duties police would be assigned to Woy Woy as part of a new crime prevention plan for the Woy Woy Peninsula and a $533,752 "community solutions" package.

"It means a minimum of 15 general duties officers starting and finishing their shifts at Woy Woy and continuing to use the station as a 24-hour base to patrol the local area," he said.

"We're proud of the strategy the police and Marie Andrews have worked out here and the way that the increased numbers are going to be used to make it a safer community," he said.

Mr Costa said that the 15 officers were a result of record police numbers.

"Also it's a function of consultation with the community, and the intense lobbying of the Local Member to have general duties police work out of the station," he said.

Ms Andrews used the announcement to congratulate local police.

"I want to say how pleased I am that we've got 17 new police in this area and might I say that the local police do a great job," she said.

Mr Carr agreed thanking police for the job they did.

He said the government was now supporting the force with increased police numbers and tougher sentencing laws.

"We want to free up their time so they can be responding to crime, and working on the streets.

"We also want to see that there's jail not bail for repeat offenders, so that police are not on a treadmill, not arresting people and them getting out of jail," he said.

In addition to more police, the "community solutions" package included a domestic violence perpetrators' program, drug-free dance parties for young people on the Peninsula and improved access to transport for people on the Peninsula including making mini-buses and other vehicles available for wider community use.

"Marie, you've got your result.

"You lobbied for increased police numbers. You've got it.

"There will be more on the way in December when we have another big passing out parade," Mr Carr said.

Mr Costa also said that it was important that police be deployed to meet community needs.

"That's why we've set up PACT, our police accountability team.

"The first one's due to meet in this area soon.

"This is one of the results you will see out of that process: better deployment of police, record numbers of police and more importantly greater consultation with the community about crime prevention strategies," he said.

Mr Costa cited the trial of criminal infringement notices on the Peninsula.

"These are the notices that allow police to deal with minor offences in a cost-effective manner to get them on our streets," he said.

Alison Branley, press releases, September 27