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Latrobe Neighbourhood Watch Crime Watch News April 2012

Coming Events, Drink Spiking at Moe, Operation in Latrobe, Neighbourhood Watch Communities Group Reports, Outstanding Stolen Vehicles, Gippsland Dispute Settlement Centre.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 17th April 2012 - Back to News

Latrobe Crime Watch News

Latrobe Police Service Area

Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

JUNE 2011

IMPORTANT

NUMBERS

Emergency 000, Mobiles 112, State the service you want – Police, Ambulance or Fire.

Police: Boolarra 5169 6222, Churchill 5122 1790, Moe 5127 2222, Morwell 5131 5000

Traralgon 5174 0900

Crime Stoppers

1800 333 000

Neighbourhood Watch & Safer Communities

Unit – Latrobe PSA, L/S/C Brett Godden, 5131 5085, 0400 050 749.

brett.godden@police.vic.gov.au

Facebook: Senior Constable Brett

Child Protection 13 12 78, Consumer Affairs 5116 5701, Dept Primary Industry 136186.

Dispute Settlement Centre 1800 658 528, Latrobe City 1300 367 700.

Nurse on Call 1300 606 024, Poisons Information 13 11 26,

VicRoads 131170

COMING EVENTS: OPEN INVITATION TO ALL LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENTS

Monday 16th April – LTB2 (Traralgon west end) Meeting – Traralgon RSL – 7.30 pm

Tuesday 17th April - LTB3 (Freeman Park area) - Traralgon Secondary College – 7.30 pm

Wednesday 25th April 2011 – Churchill Town/CDCA Meeting - Churchill Community Hall - 7 pm

Tuesday 1st May 2012 – Traralgon Town Meeting - Traralgon Police Station, Kay St, Traralgon – 7pm

Wednesday 2nd May 2012 – Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm

Monday 7th May 2012 – Moe/Newborough Town Meeting – Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm Thursday 10th May 2012 - Yinnar Town Meeting - Yinnar Hotel – 7.30 pm

Wednesday 6th June 2012 - Yallourn North Town Meeting–Yallourn North Bowling Club–7.30 pm

HOT SPOTS – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELP

DRINK SPIKING AT MOE

At about 11.30 p.m. on 30th March a female victim was at a Rock n Roll night at Moe RSL when she left her drink at her table and went outside for a short time. On her return she continued to consume her drink and then noticed something white floating in it. On closer inspection she observed the remnants of a white tablet on the bottom of the glass. Within minutes she collapsed, lost consciousness and had an elevated heart rate. An ambulance and police were called. En route to hospital she became unresponsive and went into cardiac and respiratory distress. The victim was not intoxicated prior to purchasing the drink.

Police urge anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact Crime Stoppers on: 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au or ring Senior Detective Johnson at Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5049.

WE ARE THE TOLL: OPERATION CROSSROADS IN LATROBE

Police have launched the "We are the toll" campaign and it comes as police release predictions that 2012’s final road toll could be 30 to 40 deaths higher than last year. Operation Crossroads was the start of the extensive 3-month campaign with every police officer focusing on reducing road trauma over this period. For the first time police will run lock-down style operations with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. This will see up to six ANPR vans set up in close proximity around inner-Melbourne and regional areas, covering major arterials and detecting unlicensed drivers who should not be on Victorian roads. An intelligence review into road fatalities over the past three months found that speed, alcohol and pedestrian negligence had been major factors in deaths. The report showed heightened road trauma in regional areas such as the Bass Coast and Latrobe – which has experienced four road deaths already this year.

Acting Superintendent for Eastern Region Division Five, Glenn Weir said police were generally pleased with the behaviour of drivers over the Easter break.

"A large number of visitors and locals moving around during the break were monitored during Operation Crossroads. Whilst we had a number of drivers detected breaching the road rules we were generally satisfied with the way Easter transpired", he said.

Over the five days of Operation Crossroads police in Latrobe breath tested 3701 drivers with 8 being detected over the limit. An additional 120 drivers were fined for offences such as speeding and using mobile phones

Appealing to motorists to be part of the solution, not add to the problem, A/Supt Weir said, "Road safety is everyone's issue, yours, mine, neighbour’s, family and friends. That is the point of the "We Are The Toll" campaign, we’re all effected by road trauma."

Police are calling on everyone to get behind the campaign and turn around 2012’s road toll. Community members can share their road safety ideas, road trauma stories and more at the We Are The Toll Facebook page.

MARCH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT

ASSAULTS - 3 for March (1 Feb) - Three offenders charged as a result of family violence incidents. Police are making enquiries in relation to another assault that occurred at a party.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 3 for March (2 Feb) - The school had windows damaged when offenders smashed it with a piece of concrete on 26th March. The Boolarra Landcare Old Mill Site sustained damage over the weekend of 3rd March whilst a vehicle was damaged whilst the owner was at the folk festival.

BURGLARY - 1 for March (2 Feb) - Two firearms and a cordless drill were stolen from a property on Morwell River Rd overnight on 31st March.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for March (7 Feb)

THEFT - 1 for March (1 Feb) - Palings were stolen from the Boolarra Landcare Old Mill Site.

CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES JEERALANG)

ISSUES MARCH - Nil

ASSAULTS - 5 for March (5 Feb) - Four offenders charged with police following up a suspect in relation to another assault.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 4 for March (5 Feb) - Two offenders charged. The Churchill Primary School grounds were entered by offenders 15th March and they tore a shade sail and smashed two glass panels in the front doors. A vehicle in Switchback Rd had tyres slashed overnight 4th March.

BURGLARY - Nil for March (3 Feb))

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for March (6 Feb)

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for March (1 Feb)

THEFT - 2 for March (3 Feb) - Police are following up a suspect in relation to one of the thefts from a shop whilst eight blue fluoro lights were stolen overnight 4th March from outside Future Flicks.

ISSUES RAISED APRIL – Meeting not held at time of publishing.

MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORT(INCLUDES TYERS)

PREVIOUS ISSUES - Cars parked on the nature strip – Report to Latrobe City for attention of By-Laws Officers.

SEX OFFENCES - One offender charged with indecent assault.

ROBBERY - Nil for March (2 Feb)

ASSAULT - 26 for March (20 Feb) - 22 offenders charged with some facing multiple charges. Police are following up suspects in relation to three other incidents. Eleven came to notice as a result of family violence.

ARSON - 1 for March (Nil Feb) - A vehicle was located burnt out in Derhams Lane.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 38 for March (15 Feb) - Nine offenders charged. Eleven were windows broken by rocks, bottles or unknown objects with no intent to enter premises. Six incidents involved tyres of vehicles being slashed or punctured.

BURGLARY - 16 for March (26 Feb) - Most were committed on residential premises with two committed in Hourigan Rd. Most entry was through windows with a number being through open windows.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 18 for March (9 Feb) - Nine of the vehicles were unlocked in residential driveways, outside residential addresses or in a car park. One vehicle had a window smashed to gain entry. Fuel was stolen from vehicles in Vincent Rd, Maryvale Cres and Beattie Cres whilst number plates were stolen from four vehicles.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for March (5 Feb) - Three vehicles have been recovered with WKU889 a 2007 Holden Ute White stolen from New St on 26th March, still outstanding

THEFT - 18 for March (16 Feb) - One offender charged. Four steel sewer covers were stolen from a roadwork site in Roger St around 29th March. A number of thefts occurred when people left handbags, phones or purses and walked away. Police advise against the practices of leaving these items for any length of time no matter how short.

ISSUES RAISED APRIL – Nil

MOE/NEWBOROUGH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

PREVIOUS ISSUES – Nil

ROBBERY - 1 for March (1 Feb) - One offender charged with robbery during March.

ASSAULT - 18 for March (16 Feb) - 16 offenders charged. Nine were family violence related. Offenders are being followed up in relation to two incidents with one the result of a dispute over property whilst another occurred at the Moe Railway station when four youths assaulted a male.

ARSON - 1 for March (2 Feb) - Two rubbish bins were set alight in Coalville Rd overnight on 4th March.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 28 for March (13 Feb) - Ten offenders charged or cautioned. Four were as a result of family violence. Windows were the main items damaged with offenders smashing panels with rocks or stones or unknown objects.

BURGLARY - 9 for March (13 Feb) - Three offenders charged. The majority were committed on residential premises with bikes, cash, medications and jewellery stolen.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 11 for March (8 Feb) - All except one were committed in residential driveways or outside the victims address. Males given permission to enter a tow yard to retrieve property entered another vehicle stealing property. Three vehicles were entered overnight 21st March in the Waterloo Rd/Monte Cres area.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for March (Nil Feb) - Four have been located. YOK151 a 1985 Toyota Coupe Silver stolen from George St, Moe overnight on 29/03/12 remains outstanding.

THEFT (OTHER) - 19 for March (16 Feb) - Four offenders charged whilst police are following up suspects in two other incidents. ISSUES RAISED APRIL – Nil

TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES GLENGARRY, TOONGABBIE, HAZELWOOD NORTH, TRARALGON SOUTH)

PREVIOUS ISSUES – Nil.

ROBBERY - 2 for March (Nil Feb) - One offender charged with armed robbery whilst police are making enquiries in relation to another robbery.

ASSAULT - 28 for March (38 Feb) - 18 offenders charged. 12 were as a result of family violence. In six incidents police are making further enquiries re suspects. A concerning factor is the number of female aggressors and the number of alcohol fuelled assaults.

ARSON - 2 for March (1 Feb) - Police are following up in relation to both incidents.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 49 for March (32 Feb) - Five offenders charged with suspects in two other incidents being followed up. 25 involved a residence or business premises having windows damaged by physical force, rocks, bricks or other objects being used to smash or crack the window.

BURGLARY - 25 for March (9 Feb) - Two offenders charged. The Traralgon Secondary College canteen was broken into three times with drinks being stolen on each occasion. The Toongabbie Golf Club was entered overnight 12th March with cash stolen. A number of sporting clubs or civic centres were also broken into.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 22 for March (14 Feb) - All except two occurred in residential streets, driveways or outside residential premises. Ten involved unlocked vehicles with property stolen including iPods, GPS units, clothing, birthday presents and wallets. Cards from a stolen purse were used to withdraw a substantial amount of cash from the victim’s account.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for March (3 Feb) - One has been recovered. P90541 a 5 x 7 Box trailer stolen on 22nd March from Airfield Rd and RUTTS a 1983 Ford Sedan Red stolen from Bonighton Crt 14th March remain outstanding.

THEFT - 18 for March (17 Feb) - Three offenders charged. A letterbox, BMX Bike, two scooters, two mobile phones and a purse are amongst the items stolen.

ISSUES RAISED APRIL – Nil.

YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ISSUES FEBRUARY – No March meeting.

ASSAULT - 1 for March (Nil Feb) - One offender charged with making threats to kill after a family violence incident in March.

ARSON - 1 for March (Nil Feb) - A fire in a bin at the Yallourn North Skate Park is being investigated.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for March (Nil Feb) - One offender charged with criminal damage. Offenders broke into the Yallourn North Football Club causing damage to doors and windows and stealing an amount of alcohol.

BURGLARY - 2 March (1 Feb) - Offenders entered an unlocked shed overnight 18th March, stealing a brush cutter and chainsaw whilst the football club was entered overnight 4th March with cans of alcohol and a keg stolen. The keg was located nearby.

THEFT - 1 for March (Nil Feb) - The only theft for the month is the theft of alcohol from the football club.

ISSUES RAISED APRIL – Graffiti on the disabled toilet at Lions Park – To Latrobe City.

NEXT MONTH’S NHW/SAFER COMMUNITY GROUP PRESENTATION

HOON DRIVING AND HOW TO REPORT IT TO POLICE

May’s presentation by our NHW Coordinator, Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden, will be on Hoon Driving, impoundment offences, recording the incidents and how to make an online or telephone report to Crime Stoppers.

LSC Godden invites all interested members of the Latrobe community to attend their local town meeting. Dates appear on the front of this newsletter. To arrange for this topic to be presented to your community group contact Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden on 5131 5085 or 0400 050 749.

GIPPSLAND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT CENTRE

The Gippsland community is now benefitting from local experience in dispute resolution with mediators who work across the region for the Dispute Settlement Centre Victoria (DSCV). Mediators were chosen from across Gippsland for their community involvement, local knowledge, life experience and their interest in Appropriate Dispute Resolution.

Operating from the Department of Justice’s Anne Street, Morwell building (on the corner of Hazelwood Road) the service provides free and neutral advice to assist people to resolve disputes.

In using mediators, residents are provided with alternatives to costly court-based dispute resolution. Residents also benefit from a dispute resolution service which uses local knowledge, local agencies and local solutions.

The aim of a DSCV is to increase residents’ capacity to resolve their own disputes through the application of early intervention strategies and by teaching conflict management skills.

Mediators work with the community to resolve a range of interpersonal disputes, including neighbourhood disputes over fences; tree issues; common property usage; family disputes; sporting clubs’ disputes with officials; workplace disagreements; noise pollution from music, parties, animals, machinery or cars; body corporate issues; planning and environmental issues; property damage; parking and other issues relating to entry to your land and shared household disputes.

The DSCV’s Reaching Agreement website features how-to videos with tips on simple and effective ways to resolve neighbourhood disputes. The videos are presented in English, Australian sign language and seven other community languages. Guides to dispute resolution services in Victoria are also available in English and ten community languages from the website. You can visit the website at www.disputes.vic.gov.au

DSCV assists both individuals and groups. It can meet cultural and communication needs for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Mediators come from a range of cultural backgrounds and multi lingual publications are available in over 20 community languages.

DSCV also provide community education, providing speakers to explain the service. It can be contacted on 1800 658 528.

OUTSTANDING STOLEN VEHICLES

REPORT THE LOCATION OF THESE VEHICLES TO POLICE

If you see a vehicle being stolen or dumped, call 000 immediately and ask for police..

If you know where a vehicle may be located contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit: www.crimestoppers.com.au

POLICE ADVISE THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO APPROACH THE OFFENDERS. INSTEAD CALL POLICE ON 000.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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  The Nationals and Liberals have pledged PSOs at Morwell and Moe stations, mobile CCTV across the Latrobe Valley, and restoring Moe Police Station to 24-hour operations under their community safety plan.
• East Gippsland Council connects local contractors with upcoming projects, opportunities and business support initiatives on 21 August 2026
  Around 80 local contractors attended East Gippsland Shire Council’s annual breakfast, gaining insights into upcoming projects, procurement opportunities, tendering processes and business support initiatives for local enterprises.
• Live and Loud at GPAC brings AFL Grand Final action, family fun and entertainment to Traralgon on 26 September 2026
  Latrobe City Council will host Live and Loud at GPAC on September 26, featuring family activities, entertainment, a ticketed musical-acrobat performance and free live screening of the 2026 AFL Grand Final.
• Labor invests $120,000 to modernise Traralgon Library with new study pods and improved community spaces
  Harriet Shing joined Latrobe City Mayor Cr Gibson and councillors to announce a $120,000 library upgrade, jointly funded by government and council
• Baw Baw Shire Council seeks community feedback on first draft Events Strategy for future events from 27 August to 16 September 2026
  Baw Baw Shire is inviting residents, event organisers and local businesses to comment on its first draft Events Strategy, open on Baw Baw Connect from August 27 to September 16, helping shape future event planning across the Shire.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
• Bass Coast and South Gippsland businesses invited to connect, collaborate and network at upcoming Meet the Makers event in Meeniyan on 13 October 2026
  Local producers, makers and hospitality businesses across Bass Coast and South Gippsland are invited to Meet the Makers in Meeniyan on October 13, offering networking, collaboration and showcasing opportunities.
• Maryvale Recreation Reserve completes $920,000 upgrade, enhancing accessibility, facilities, safety and recreation opportunities for the community
  Maryvale Recreation Reserve has completed a $920,000 refurbishment, upgrading the Latrobe Cricket Club pavilion, Peter Siddle Oval, drainage, pathways and accessibility, as part of Latrobe City's broader $5 million program.
• East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks community members, reflects on achievements and highlights upcoming projects in final annual mayoral column
  East Gippsland Mayor Jodie Ashworth thanks residents for their contributions, highlights upcoming projects and community celebrations, and encourages feedback on the Bairnsdale 2050 Strategy before concluding her annual mayoral column.
• Free green waste disposal helps East Gippsland residents prepare properties for upcoming bushfire season from 1 to 30 November 2026
  East Gippsland residents can dispose of eligible green waste free throughout November to reduce bushfire risks. Council also encourages safe gas bottle disposal and separating green waste from general rubbish to save fees.
• Gippsland Water increases basin cover cleaning to annual schedule to protect drinking water quality across service area
  Gippsland Water is increasing drinking water basin cover cleaning from every 18–24 months to annually, helping prevent damage, reduce contamination risks and protect water quality.