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Latrobe Crime Watch News Letter Latrobe Police Service Area

Coming Events, Hot Spots Domino's Armed Robbery, Morwell Freeway Re-Opens, Neighbourhood Watch Meeting Reports For Moe Yallourn North Churchill Morwell Traralgon, Using Fog Lights, Hand Bag Security in the Street.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 20th September 2011 - Back to News

Latrobe Crime Watch News

Latrobe Police Service Area

Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

September 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

Get the latest crime prevention tips, crime statistics by attending your town meeting. This is the forum to raise your police issue in an informal non-threatening forum.

Monday 3RD October 2011 - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL Albert Street, Moe – 7 pm Tuesday 4th October 2011 - Traralgon Town Meeting - Civic Offices, Kay Street - 7.15 pm

Wednesday 5th October 2011 - Morwell Town Meeting-Milne Bay Room, Morwell RSL, Elgin St– 7 pm

Wednesday 12th October 2011 - Yallourn North Town Meeting–Yallourn North Bowling Club–7.30 pm

Thursday 20th October 2011 - Yinnar Town Meeting - Yinnar Hotel – 7.30 pm

Wednesday 26th October 2011 – Churchill Town/CDCA Meeting - Churchill Community Hall - 7 pm

HOT SPOTS-POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP, DOMINO'S TRARALGON ARMED ROBBERY

At approximately 9.00 pm on Saturday 10th September two male offenders entered the Traralgon Domino’s Pizza store on Princes Highway. The males ordered the staff to the rear of the store. One of the offenders took the manager to the front of the store and opened the safe. At this time the second offender was with the other staff members. An amount of money was removed from the safe by the offender. The manager was then returned to the rear of the store and the offenders then left in an unknown direction.

The males were armed with steak knives and are described as follows:

First male wore light coloured trousers, white shoes, white gloves, blue jacket and red balaclava.

Second male wore dark coloured trousers, black shoes, black jacket, red balaclava, black gloves and carrying a black bag with shoulder strap.

MORWELL FREEWAY REOPENS THIS WEDNESDAY 21st SEPTEMBER

After extensive monitoring and remedial work the Princes Freeway at Morwell will reopen on Wednesday 21st September. Works including the filling of cracks and the draining of groundwater have been completed. Drivers will notice a 300 metre section of the centre median strip around the "crack zone" and this area has been water-proofed.

Temporary water barriers are in place to separate the East and West-bound lanes of the freeway and they will eventually be replaced by wire rope barriers in the future. An Emergency Warning System is also in place in the event the freeway has to be closed again.

Divisional Traffic Co-ordinator, Senior Sergeant Dave Watson, advises the opening of the freeway will be phased in over the day with it being fully operational in time for evening peak traffic. He advises drivers must take extra care during the re-adjustment period particularly as locals have become complacent when entering the freeway at on-ramps assuming there is no oncoming traffic.

"Drivers must make sure they do their head checks when entering the freeway. This is now vital as traffic will once again be flowing." said Senior Sergeant Watson.

AUGUST NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORT

PREVIOUS ISSUES - Ongoing problem with untidy McDonald Street premises - Emails outlining the continued lack of action on this matter have been sent to Cr Middlemiss and Council Officer Wendy Hayne. Hoon driving and other traffic issues - Residents will record details and times when the offences are prevalent so that police can take action. Problem of empty shops and empty houses - Action to be taken to ensure owners of empty shops/houses are made responsible for care of the premises.

CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 31 for August (14 July) - 29 offenders charged. One offender charged with multiple counts of making threats to kill and reckless conduct endangering life after an incident in Latrobe Rd.

ARSON - 5 for August (1 July) - One offender charged with criminal damage by fire. Bins in Rintoull St, Wells St and Vary St were set alight whilst a stolen vehicle was found burnt out.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 26 for August (27 July) - 13 offenders charged, some facing multiple charges. Most were committed in residential areas with vehicle and house windows being the main targets of youths throwing rocks.

BURGLARY - 11 for August (13 July) - One offender charged. Most burglaries were committed on residential premises using forced entry with entry through a roof on one occasion. Police advise home owners to use a lock on man hole covers on the inside to prevent the cover opening from inside the roof cavity.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 17 for August (17 July) - Two offenders charged. Both were involved in a theft spree overnight on the 15th August. They face seven counts of theft from motor vehicle as well as six attempted theft from motor vehicles. All vehicles entered were unlocked.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 6 for August (5 July) - One offender charged. Four have been recovered with one burnt out. A Quad bike was stolen from Polden Cres and is yet to be recovered.

THEFT - 17 for August (18 July) - Six offenders charged. Copper pipe was stolen from a residences in Chestnut Ave and Vary St.

ISSUES RAISED SEPTEMBER – Nil

CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORT

AUGUST ISSUES – This was the AGM and there was general discussion with Sergeant Melanie Hamshire, Officer in Charge of Churchill Police.

CRIME REPORT

ASSAULTS - 13 for August (9 July) - In all incidents an offender has been charged or is being sought by police. One offender will face multiple charges after an aggravated burglary.

ARSON - 2 for August (Nil July) - Both incidents were criminal damage involving fire. One offender has been charged with criminal damage by fire whilst a recycle bin was burnt in Switchback Rd.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 11 for August (4 July) - Six offenders charged. Damages were evenly spread between business and residential areas. One incident involved an object being thrown at a vehicle in Monash Way. Police remind the community that the practice of throwing objects at moving cars is not only illegal but extremely dangerous and could possibly result in a death.

BURGLARY - 3 for August (1 July) - All three occurred on residential premises. A caravan at the rear of a house was entered via an unlocked door with DVD’s and bedding stolen and a garage was entered in Amaroo Dr.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 18 for August (5 July) - Four offenders charged with 26 offences ranging from theft from motor vehicle to criminal damage and burglary. All bar one TFMV’s were committed in residential driveways or outside residential addresses. IPods, GPS units, bags, wallets or purses were the items stolen. There were also eight attempted TFMV. Streets that were targeted multiple times were Ritchies Rd (2), Heesom Cres (2), Hawthorn Cres (2), Manning Dr (4), Williams Ave (2), Canterbury Way (2), Mulcare Cres (2) and Switchback Rd (2).

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for August (1 July)

THEFT - 4 for August (2 July) - Two offenders charged. Council rubbish bins were stolen from an address in Monash Way.

ISSUES RAISED SEPTEMBER – Meeting not held at time of printing.

MOE/NEWBOROUGH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

PREVIOUS ISSUES - Freeway signs that have had graffiti sprayed or written on them - Passed to VicRoads for cleaning.

Hooning – Old Sale Rd late at night especially Saturdays/hooning in Saviges Rd and Frys track - Information passed to Latrobe Highway patrol and Moe Police.

CRIME REPORT

ROBBERY - Nil for August (1 July)

ASSAULT - 15 for August (19 July) - In all fifteen assaults an offender has been charged with many facing multiple charges.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 15 for August (19 July) - Ten offenders charged. A large number of vehicles had panels damaged or windows smashed mainly in residential driveways or outside the vehicle owners residence.

BURGLARY - 6 for August (12 July) - One offender charged after a burglary on a chemist. Newborough Primary School’s maintenance shed was broken into by two males in hoodies and it appears they were disturbed by the alarm but they still stole a number of garden tools.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 12 for August (7 July) - There were four TFMV on the night of the 21st August in Abbott St (2), Libra Cres and Wirraway St. Unlocked vehicles were targeted.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for August (4 July)

THEFT (OTHER) - 3 for August (9 July) - A phone and basketball were stolen from residences. A dog was removed from a property in Service Rd on the 9th August. Police are making follow up enquiries.

ISSUES RAISED SEPTEMBER – Hooning in Dudley Cres area – passed to Moe Police and Highway patrol – advice re reporting given. Neighbourhood watch sign has not been erected in High St – Brett to follow up with depot as to location sign was erected.

Graffiti on Hernes Oak overpass – removed.

TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORT

PREVIOUS ISSUES: Road sign in Kay Street - Passed to Latrobe City and it has been fixed. Traffic issue at St Michaels School - Latrobe City Local Laws are handling. Traffic issues around two kindergartens - Information passed to the kinders for inclusion in their newsletters. Pedestrian lights and the amount of time allowing people to cross – Answer from VicRoads provided.

CRIME REPORT

ROBBERY - Nil for August (1 July)

ASSAULT - 23 for August (17 July) - During August 18 offenders were charged with various assault offences with some facing multiple charges. The majority came to notice as a result of family violence incidents.

ARSON - 3 for August (3 July) - One charged with criminal damage by arson. One involved a stolen vehicle being set alight.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 46 for August (30 July) - Six offenders charged. Overnight on the 19th August four business premises in Church St had windows damaged whilst two vehicles in St Georges Rd were keyed. Other streets where multiple incidents occurred were Liddiard Rd (2), Franklin St (2) and Furlonger St (2).

BURGLARY - 14 for August (22 July) - Apart from a sporting facility and a business premises that was broken into twice in two days all other burglaries were committed on residential premises or their garages or sheds. Six of the premises were entered through unlocked doors.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 12 for August (21 July) - One offender charged with theft of registration plates. All other TFMV occurred in residential areas and mostly in driveways. Entry was forced in approximately half whilst the remainder were entered via unlocked doors. Wallets, purses or cash were the most common items stolen whilst two work utes had tools stolen from the uncovered rear sections.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for August (6 July) - One was recovered burnt out in Toongabbie. Two of the vehicles were motorcycles which were stolen from unlocked sheds. Neither cycle has been recovered.

THEFT - 12 for August (19 July) - One offender charged. Handbags and phones being left behind and then being discovered stolen when owners returned top of the list of items stolen.

ISSUES RAISED AUGUST - Pedestrians crossing Grey St near the RSL and some incidents of near misses – to be followed up with VicRoads as to possibility of improved lighting.

YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

PREVIOUS ISSUES – Speed signage in Tanjil East Rd – From VicRoads, basically when a driver is in an area that is in a built up area and they turn off a road with a speed limit the road they have turned onto has a 50 km/h speed limit unless otherwise sign posted. In a rural area if they turn off a road with a speed limit the road they have turned onto has a 100 km/h speed limit unless otherwise sign posted. Brett explained further at the meeting. Hooning in North Rd area late at night - Information passed to Moe Police and Latrobe Highway Patrol for tasking.

CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 1 for August (2 July) - One offender charged with an assault offence as a result of a family violence incident.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for August (Nil July) - The only property damage was a result of the above family violence incident.

BURGLARY - Nil for August (2 July)

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 2 for August (Nil July) - A drill was stolen from the cabin of a ute parked in Boundary Rd between the 19th and 22nd August whilst keys, change and some tyres were stolen from a vehicle in North Rd on the 12th.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for August (Nil July)

THEFT (OTHER) - 1 for August (1 July) - A valve was stolen from a restricted area at Moondarra Dam on the 12th August.

ISSUES RAISED SEPTEMBER - The use of fog lights – Brett explained their use and sent information for inclusion on the local newsletter. Youths lighting small fires in Lions Park – Information to Moe Police and email sent to Shane Mynard CFA.

USING FOG LIGHTS – FROM www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

FOG LIGHTS

Using fog or driving lights at the wrong time can make it difficult for other drivers to see. Incorrect use of fog or driving lights can result in a fine and loss of points from your licence. USING FOG LIGHTS Front fog lights are designed to better illuminate the road in fog, snowfall, rainstorms or dust clouds. They can be recognised by the narrow pattern of light emitted.

Road Rule 217 states that drivers must not use front or rear fog lights unless driving in fog or other hazardous weather conditions that cause reduced visibility.

Fog lights cannot be accidentally switched on. They must be switched on separate from the main and dipped beam head lights. USING DRIVING LIGHTS Driving lights are designed to illuminate the road over a long distance. They are the same as the high beam (main beam) head light and emit the same lighting pattern. Road Rule 218 states that drivers must not use the high-beam headlights when driving:

- less than 200 metres behind a vehicle travelling in the same direction

- less than 200 metres from an oncoming vehicle.

Driving lights cannot be accidentally switched on. They can only be switched on and off with the high beam head lights.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS – HANDBAG SECURITY IN THE STREET

Women are always concerned about someone trying to grab their bags when they are out in public. Here are some tips to help make you less of a target for the bag snatcher.

Hold your bag closely to the side of your body, preferable tucked under your arm.

Carry you bag in the hand/over the shoulder furthest from the road. This limits

access for a run across the road and restricts ease of getaway for the thief.

If your bag has a flap, make sure the clasp is facing inwards against your side.

If your bag is grabbed, release it and if possible empty the contents onto the ground. This will prevent you being assaulted and may deter the thief from stealing some of your property as he/she will have to waste getaway time picking it up.

Do not carry large sums of money and if withdrawing money from an ATM try to conceal how much you have withdrawn.

Police remind the community if they see something suspicious they should ring 000 or if they have information in relation to an offence contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au

To receive this newsletter electronically by email, simply email Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden at Latrobe’s Safer Community Unit at brett.godden@police.vic.gov.au requesting to be added to the electronic mail list.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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