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Latrobe Crime Watch News Letter Latrobe Police Service Area March 2013Coming Events, Preventing and Reporting Graffiti, Neighbourhood Watch Group Crime Reports. By Malcolm Lawrence - 24th March 2013 - Back to News Latrobe Crime Watch News
Latrobe Police Service Area
Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities
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
Wed 27th March - Churchill District and Community Assoc Meeting - Churchill Community Hall - 7 pm
Monday 1st April - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm
Tuesday 2nd April - Traralgon Town Meeting - Traralgon Police Station, Kay St, Traralgon – 7pm
Wednesday 3rd April - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm
Wednesday 10th April - Yallourn North Town Meeting - Yallourn North Bowling Club–7 pm
Wednes 12th June - Annual NHW Police Showband And Pipe Band Concert – Kernot Hall Morwell – 7pm
GRAFFITI TAGGERS DISRESPECT OUR TOWNS: MESSAGE FROM OUR OPERATIONS SUPPORT INSPECTOR
We have all become familiar with "Graffiti". We see it everywhere, every day. In ancient times ‘graffiato’ (Italian for scratched) was a form of art where a design was scratched into a painted or carved surface and it is found on historic ruins all over the world.
Graffiti has evolved to an expressive form where "tags" are painted on walls, fences and other surfaces. It is true that some graffiti, the painted mural type, has some artistic merit; but "tag" (initials or a name) graffiti is simply vandalism.
More recently, graffiti has become an unsightly eyesore, which has a negative impact on our cities, towns and communities. Its removal is a major and expensive cost, which in most cases is borne by the community or individual victims, not by the vandal who caused the damage in the first place.
It must be remembered graffiti is a crime. It is an offence called ‘Criminal Damage’. Graffiti makes an area look untidy and the level of care and respect shown to an untidy area becomes less, as people no longer take pride in their surroundings. This leads to a sense of acceptance and to some people it even reduces their feeling of comfort and safety. The presence of graffiti actually seems to encourage more of it. Interestingly, the ‘taggers’ do not paint over their own property. They paint on trains, walls, signs, buildings or anything else that does not move and that does not belong to them. In Eastern Region Division 5 at Police Service Area level, the total number of graffiti offences for the past 12 months was Bass Coast /South Gippsland 16 offences, Baw Baw 19 offences and Latrobe 67 offences.
However, these formally reported offences are only a fraction of the instances occurring in our towns and do not represent an accurate account of the amount of graffiti which occurs.
Reports are generally only made by the concerned property owner, and a great deal is removed by our councils and others without a report made to police. Walking or driving around your area will tell the full truth of just how large the graffiti problem really is.
Police have a dedicated team that records ‘tags’ and offences and looks for similarities with other offences or persons who have been charged in the past. We patrol trouble spots and regularly remind stores to restrict sales of spray cans. Over time, we work out who the ‘taggers’ are and eventually we charge them with multiple offences. But, we need the public’s help.
So what can the community do? Simple !!! Report instances of Graffiti so police are aware of what is happening. If police do not know about a problem in a particular area then they cannot be tasked to patrol that area.
Record anything you see or hear about ‘taggers’ and tell the police, it might confirm something we already suspect and be enough for us to take action.
Be aware that spray cans and marking pens in possession of people who would not normally use them for work or school may just be the information police need to speak to a ‘tagger’. If you wish to improve the appearance of your community, tell the police what you see and what you hear.
REPORT GRAFFITI AS IT OCCURS
Large amounts of the instances of graffiti are generally committed during the night in poorly light areas such as under bridges and in recreation reserves. The most commonly targeted areas are bus shelters, public toilets and public phones boxes. The most common mediums used are marker pens and liquid chalk, however, the use of paint is becoming more common.
With the training and assistance provided by Latrobe City Council, NHW/ SCG Volunteers play a vital role in graffiti management. Every tag is photographed and its time and location recorded. Where a tag is located on council assets, the tag is removed using council provided resources. All data is collated and passed onto Victoria Police to assist in the identification and prosecution of the offender/s.
In order to have police tasked to patrol areas where graffiti is occurring, all instances of graffiti need to be reported to your local police station. Only then can we increase the likelihood of offenders being apprehended and held accountable for their actions.
If you have information in relation to graffiti contact Morwell Police on 5131 5000, or Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5049 or Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppers.com.au. or on 1800 333 000.
FEBRUARY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS
CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Nil issues notified.
ROBBERY - Nil for February (1 January)
ASSAULTS - 4 for February (6 January) - Three offenders charged. One offender faces three counts from two separate family violence incidents.
ARSON - Nil for February (1 January)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 9 for February (10 January) - Four offenders charged. One faces two counts as a result of a family violence incident. On 15th February unknown offenders threw a rock at a passing vehicle on Monash Way causing damage to a panel.
BURGLARY - 4 for February (3 January) - Overnight 1st February unknown offenders entered a rural property in Tebb Tce, Jeeralang Junction through the roof, stealing alcohol. Alcohol was also stolen from the Churchill Cricket Club on the same night when offenders forced the front door. Between 22nd and 24th February offenders entered a residence in Daly Crt. Whilst nothing was stolen various items in the house were used and food was eaten.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for February (4 January) - Overnight 21st February three males were disturbed entering three unlocked vehicles in the driveway of a residence in Birch Dr. The offenders still managed to steal an aerial and CD’s. The other two incidents involved the theft of hubcaps from vehicles in Cutler Cres and Mc Lean Ave.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for February (2 January) - The only vehicle stolen during February has been recovered.
THEFT - 3 for February (3 January) - On 11th February a fire fighting water trailer was stolen from a property in Mackeys Rd. The trailer contained 1,000L of water at the time of the theft. A pot plant was stolen from the front yard of a residence in Switchback Rd overnight 22nd February. A maintenance yard in Mc Cormick St had the fence cut overnight 27th February when unknown offenders stole a paint spray gun.
ISSUES RAISED MARCH: Nil issues passed to police coordinator. Next meeting Wednesday 27th March - Churchill District and Community Association Meeting - Churchill Community Hall - 7 pm
MOE/NEWBOROUGH MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Scams sent through the mail – Discussion on avoiding becoming a victim. Condition of Ollerton Reserve – Letter sent to Latrobe City. Will follow up with CFA.
ROBBERY - 2 for February (2 January) - One offender charged whilst two offenders have been charged with attempted robbery.
ASSAULT - 22 for February (15 January) – Twenty-one offenders charged. Some face multiple charges and some of the offences are the result of family violence incidents. Police are following up an assault in Apex Park on 11th February where a young male was assaulted by three others who were driving a dark sedan.
ARSON - Nil for February (3 January)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 29 for February (37 January) - Eight offenders charged. Overnight 10th February unknown offenders wrote the tag SANTO on the wall of a shop in Rutherglen Rd. Seven of the damages involved vehicle windows or panels being damaged with no apparent attempt to gain entry to the vehicles.
BURGLARY - 13 for February (10 January) - Two offenders charged. Overnight 20th February unknown offenders forced a shed door and stole an air compressor. Two burglaries were committed in Sweetwater Pl where firearms were stolen from a gun safe in a garage and cash, jewellery and personal papers were stolen from the second residence.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 2 for February (8 January) - Both thefts were committed in residential areas with hubcaps stolen from a vehicle in a car port in Burrage St overnight 15th February. There was also an attempted theft at the same location on the same night. An unlocked vehicle in the driveway was entered in Moore St with a GPS and garage remote stolen.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for February (Nil January) – The only vehicle stolen, XMD164 a 2009 Volkswagen station wagon grey in colour was stolen from Mena St on 16th February.
THEFT (OTHER) - 14 for February (January) - Between 6th January and 6th February unknown offenders removed a playground boat from Lyons Park. This theft is similar to a theft that occurred during the same time period in Explorers Park, Traralgon. Overnight 11th February a ceramic dog and garden hose were stolen from a Hyland St residence.
ISSUES RAISED MARCH: Nil issues raised. The group decided to conduct a display at the Moe Traders School Music event on Saturday 16th March at Moe Racecourse. Letter received from CFA providing information in relation to Ollerton Reserve.
Next meeting - Monday 1st April - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm
MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Graffiti and recidivist offenders – Strategies discussed – March newsletter to be dedicated to this ongoing Latrobe wide issue.
ROBBERY -1 for February (3 January) - One offender charged with robbery as a result of a family violence incident.
ASSAULT - 31 for February (29 January) – Twenty-six offenders charged with assault related offences whilst in the remaining incidents a suspect has been identified and police are making follow up enquiries.
ARSON - 8 for February (7 January) - One offender was cautioned in relation to arson as the result of dropping a lit cigarette in dry grass whilst two other offenders have been charged with two counts each of criminal damage by fire. A vehicle was set alight by unknown offenders in Kurt St overnight 3rd February whilst a slide and shade sail were damaged at Commercial Rd Primary on 24th February.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 22 for February (19 January) - Five offenders charged. A conveyor belt at a poultry farm in Old Melbourne Rd was damaged overnight 7th February. Overnight 22nd February unknown offenders graffitied a school wall in Vary St with the tags "BLUEY" and "ASH".
BURGLARY - 11 for February (15 January) - Four offenders charged. Two of the offenders are responsible for a number of incidents across the Latrobe Police Service Area. Police are also following up suspects in relation to a burglary in Gabo Way overnight 2nd February.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 7 for February (3 January) - Two offenders charged. A window was smashed on a vehicle in the driveway of a residence in Joy St overnight 3rd February with a laptop stolen from the rear seat. Four Holden hubcaps were stolen from a vehicle in Mountain Grey Rise Circuit overnight 21st February.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for February (3 January) - All three vehicles have been recovered with one offender charged with theft of a motor vehicle and attempted theft of a motor vehicle during February.
THEFT - 12 for February (13 January) - Two offenders charged with theft during February whilst a suspect is being sought in relation to a theft in Stanton St overnight 8th February. Overnight 10th February unknown offenders attempted to steal a child’s buggy from a car yard in Princes Dr. This is the second time offenders have stolen a buggy from this business.
ISSUES RAISED MARCH: Parking on Nature strips – Requested the next newsletter include/highlight the laws relating to parking on nature strips – this is an offence under the Road Safety Road Rules 2009. Clause 197 makes it an offence to stop on a path, dividing strip or nature strip. This is a State law; however, our newsletter editor will include this in our Local Laws Section next month.
TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Tax Office scam received - Discussion re scams/phone calls targeting the Valley at the moment.
SEX OFFENCES - One offender charged with an offence of a sexual nature.
ROBBERY - Nil for February (2 January)
ASSAULT - 26 for February (32 January) – Twenty-one offenders charged. Twelve of the incidents came to notice as the result of family violence incidents whilst three related to licensed premises.
ARSON - 1 for February (4 January) - One offender charged with criminal damage by fire as the result of a stolen motor vehicle being burnt out.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 19 for February (25 January) - Eight offenders charged. One of the offenders was charged with writing graffiti in Agnes Brereton Park. Four incidents involved damaged letterboxes that occurred in Grey St (9th February), Liddiard Rd (15th February), Crosses Rd (17th February) and Loch Park Rd on 21st February.
BURGLARY - 6 for February (16 January) - Houses under construction were targeted with two premises entered by unknown offenders. Building materials were stolen from a site in Tintern Place overnight 4th February whilst another site in Kennelworth St was entered overnight 18th February and a tool box which had been chained to a post was stolen.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 7 for February (15 January) - Overnight 2nd February a number plate was stolen from a vehicle in a driveway in Allen Cres whilst overnight 5th February another was stolen from a vehicle in a car park in Breed St. Overnight 8th February three unlocked vehicles on a property in Stringers Rd, Toongabbie were entered with cash stolen from one and a handbag stolen from another.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for February (4 January) - One offender charged with one count and another vehicle stolen during the month was located. SVS510, a 1986 Holden sedan red in colour was stolen on 19 February from Princes Hwy, Traralgon and remains outstanding.
THEFT - 18 for February (24 January) - Two offenders charged whilst police are following up a suspect in relation to the theft of petrol from a service station in Princes Hwy on 6th February. Two trailers were stolen from Ellavale Drive and Hunter Rd between 22nd and 25th February. In both incidents, chains or padlocks were cut to remove the trailers.
ISSUES RAISED MARCH: Nil issues raised. A discussion was held on the process involved in calling 000 and police response.
BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for February (Nil January) - On 17th February unknown offenders threw a piece of bitumen through a window of a residence in Austin St, Boolarra.
THEFT = Nil for February (1 January)
YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES: Security Issues – general discussion about household and personal security to prevent theft.
ASSAULT - 1 for February (1 January) - One offender charged with threaten serious injury during February.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for February (2 March) - One offender charged with criminal damage during February.
BURGLARY -1 for February (Nil January) - Between 11th and 14th February unknown offenders attempted to gain entry to a shed on a property in Mill Rd. Whilst the offenders were unable to gain access to the shed they did steal a trailer which was nearby.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 1 for February (Nil January) - Overnight 2nd February the victim left her vehicle in the Ski Club car park. Sometime overnight offenders entered the vehicle and stole the victim’s purse which had been left on a seat.
THEFT (OTHER) - 2 for February (Nil January) - Overnight 8th February unknown offenders cut straps holding two fuel cans on a trailer on a property in Somerset Rd. One can was empty whilst the other contained diesel. The other theft is a trailer stolen from Mill Rd between 11th and 14th February.
ISSUES RAISED MARCH: There was no March meeting. Next meeting - Wednesday 10th April - Yallourn North Town Meeting - Yallourn North Bowling Club–7 pm
MAKE YOUR COMMUNITY SAFER – CONDUCT A COMMUNITY SAFETY AUDIT
The presence of graffiti impacts negatively on communities, making residents feel less secure. It not only makes public places less attractive but it can lead to more serious crimes being committed if it doesn’t look like the community is looking after itself.
Property damaged makes an area look less ascetically pleasing and the costs involved in graffiti removal and prevention can be high for councils, businesses and owners of private property. Removing graffiti strengthens communities and revitalises neighbourhoods. It is proven if graffiti is quickly removed, offenders get discouraged and stop reoffending.
Community Safety Audits (CSA’s) are designed to identify problem areas in a neighbourhood and attempting to find a solution to the problem. The goal is to reduce crime and improve and promote a sense of public safety. CSA’s identify streets, parks, buildings and car parks which make you feel less safe or which may affect your safety.
CSA’s identify issues such as insufficient lighting, unsafe footpaths, potholes in roads, vegetation overgrowth which can be fire or traffic hazards, untidy residential premises which are unsightly, a health hazard and a worry for neighbours, graffiti and criminal damage. In other words, they identify anything which needs to be addressed to enhance public safety.
The results of CSA’s are reductions in injury, anti-social behaviour, violence and crime. CSA’s are a simple but empowering community tool. By taking ownership of your locality, sharing your knowledge and how you feel, and by working together with community members, a town’s residents can make changes happen.
CSA’s encourage the community to get involved and have a say, but you have to be prepared to work for the changes you want. They help to turn your neighbourhood from one where you or your neighbours feel unsafe or uncomfortable to one where you feel secure and at ease. They make public places safer for everyone.
During an audit, inspection of public places is systematic and take the form of an organised walkabout where notes and photographs are taken. CSA’s are properly recorded information gathering exercises used to inform the police and the council of incidents. Information collected and collated is passed to local council and police to assist in the identification and prosecution of offenders.
If you have some free time and would like to make your community a better place in which to live by conducting a CSA in your area, contact Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden on 5131 5000 at the Safer Communities Unit for further information.
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS – GRAFFITI PROOF YOUR PROPERTY
In an attempt to deter vandals from damaging your property with graffiti, consider applying anti-graffiti coatings to your paintwork, windows and other surfaces. They may need to be reapplied after a few graffiti removals and are not 100% effective but they can make removing graffiti a lot easier. Check with your local paint or hardware stores to see what products are available in your area and check with your stockist if it is recommended for professionals to apply as some products may be toxic.
MORWELL’S COMMUNITY SAFETY AUDITORS LEAD THE WAY
In our October 2010 we reported on the efforts of Morwell Neighbourhood Watch’s Community Safety Audit and Graffiti Removal Team lead by Gerard Traynor and Betty Glass. The team undertakes the ongoing task of removing graffiti as it appears across the Morwell Township when conducting regular Community Safety Audits (CSA’s).
Latrobe City supports NHW/SCG volunteers by supplying chemicals free of charge to our graffiti removing teams. As well as making our township more attractive by removing ugly graffiti, their work helps to keep both our crime and council rates down.
Data collected by Morwell’s team has so far assisted police in the apprehension, charging and prosecution of a number offenders, with two being charged with 60 offences of criminal damage.
The team’s efforts were recognised with letters of appreciation from Eastern Region Division Five’s Inspector Ron Gardner, who is responsible for Operations Support, Tasking & Coordination and Investigation & Response. He says any recognition Gerard and Betty receive for their outstanding community work is fully deserved.
Inspector Gardner has provided statistics which show the total number of reported graffiti offences for the past 12 months was 16 offences in Bass Coast /South Gippsland, 19 offences in Baw Baw and 67 offences Latrobe.
Inspector Gardner said "The total number of formally reported offences are only a fraction of the instances occurring in our towns and do not represent an accurate account of the amount of graffiti which occurs."
Inspector Gardner’s statement is supported by Gerard’s statistics, which only relate to the township of Morwell. In 2010 Gerard notes 296 instances of graffiti with the tag of one offender recorded on 84 occasions. In 2011, the team cleaned 328 tags of which 116 of those offences were damages caused by the one offender.
However, the figures for 2012 exploded with 1191 offences recorded. The most prolific offender was responsible for 252 of these criminal damages.
Working to remove the graffiti in their recreational time on the weekends, Gerard and Betty each spent 35 hours voluntarily scrubbing out graffiti as it appeared across Morwell in 2012. In 2013 for the year to the end of February, they have recorded 157 offences of which it is believed the one offender committed 61 offences. So far, they have completed four hours of voluntary cleaning.
Gerard says "The majority of offences can be likened to the actions of a stray dog leaving an unwanted package on a sports ground."
"Most offences are carried out during daylight hours, which bucks night time trends. The offender places a single tag then quickly moves on to place another tag just down the street. They show no respect for the law, property or environmental aesthetics."
Gerard and Betty were also nominated by our Police NHW Co-ordinator, L/S/Constable Brett Godden, for a State NHW award.
The local NHW/SCG community was elated when informed by The State Honours Committee that Gerard and Betty had been named joint winners of the David Lentin Memorial Award for the Neighbourhood Watch Group with the Most Acclaimed Program for the ‘Latrobe Community Audits and Graffiti Removal Project’ along with Mildura’s ‘Operation Hot Spot’.
The community showed great warmth and support for Betty and Gerard when they were presented with their award by the State Manager of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria, Gillian Metz, at the 2012 Victoria Police Showband and Pipe Bands Concert held at Kernot Hall.
LSC Godden said, "Gerard and Betty do an extraordinary amount of work in the area recording, reporting and cleaning graffiti. Their hard work has led to the identification and then charging of offenders by Morwell Police members."
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS – GRAFFITI REMOVAL PRODUCTS
If your property is subjected to graffiti and spray paint and/or felt pens are used, depending on the surface involved you may find the following quick guide handy:
SOFT BRICK SURFACES - Foam oven cleaner or liquid laundry detergent.
HARD BRICK SURFACES - Foam oven cleaner or powder cleaner.
GLASS AND ALUMINIUM SURFACES - Methylated spirits, foam oven cleaner, turps or eucalyptus oil.
TILES (including Terrazzo) - Foam oven cleaner.
CONCRETE - Foam oven cleaner or liquid laundry detergent.
TIMBER - Paint over the graffiti.
The Western Australian Department of Treasury has produce an Approved Chemical Graffiti Removal Products List which you can find at http://www.crimeprevention.wa.gov.au/uploads/file/Approved%20chemical%20graffiti%20removal%20products.pdf
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au
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