Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local NewsLatrobe Crime Watch News, Latrobe Police SErvice Area. March 2011February Neighbourhood Watch/Safer Communities Group Reports for Morwell, Moe, Yallourn North, Churchill and Traralgon, Morwell Freeway By-pass, Changed Traffic Conditions in Morwell. Latrobe Crime Watch NewsLatrobe Police Service AreaNeighbourhood Watch Creating Safer CommunitiesMARCH 2011IMPORTANT NUMBERS Emergency 000 Mobiles 112 State the service you want – Police, Ambulance or Fire. Nurse on Call 1300 606 024 Poisons Information 13 11 26 VicRoads 131170 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 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 CLOSURE OF PRINCES FREEWAY MORWELL - UPDATEHello residents, This is my second update regarding the Morwell Land Movement and Princess Freeway closure. Since the first newsletter, or update there has been some slight movement of some of the cracks, but this was early on and there has been no detectable movement in terms of the cracks in the mine, the freeway or tennis court area for around 10 days now, despite two stints of rain. This is good news. The mitigation plan is well under way with the mine engaging three drilling rigs to drill a large number of horizontal drain holes into the side of the northern batter. Some of the holes are already draining a small amount of water. This drilling will take around 20 weeks to complete as it is a long process and the holes are significant in length. VicRoads have undertaken testing of the freeway in the area and have advised that there are no detected cavities under the road, which is also great news. They are sinking some bore holes to monitor water levels. They are also installing 'real time' monitoring on the freeway. This will be of great benefit in terms of the analysis of the data it will produce. An expert has been engaged to work with the Dept of Primary Industry, Latrobe Council, VicRoads and the mine to examine and identify a suitable solution for the stormwater outflow from Morwell which runs along the edge of the freeway so that the water cannot escape and impact the land underneath, when it travels on its way to the wetlands. This work is seen as critical to the longer term solution. By the time you read this, VicRoads will have opened the extremities of the freeway to allow "Local" traffic access to the next off ramp. Those travelling west will be able to exit toward Churchill and the south Morwell areas and be able to go east on that ramp when returning. Those travelling east will be able to access the turnoff to Mirboo North/Leongatha. It is hoped this will ease congestion slightly. Unfortunately the long weekend did see some delays, and I myself was caught in it as I headed east through Morwell. I am happy to say that whilst it was slow going, the traffic, at least when I went through, was quite considerate and accepting of the situation. Looking at the Christchurch Earthquake and now the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, it puts the Morwell event into context for me. The Morwell event is an inconvenience. It can be frustrating at times and I implore all residents and travellers to be patient. Much work is being done to work through solutions which will enable the freeway to be opened as soon as humanly possible. Regards Geoff Newby Superintendent Incident Controller MARCH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTSMORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORTFEBRUARY ISSUES - Nil CRIME REPORT INDECENT ASSAULT – An indecent assault was committed at the ROBBERY - 4 for Feb (1 Jan) - Two offenders have been charged with robbery/armed robbery offences. Two other victims had phones or cash stolen from them by a group of youths. Enquiries are pending. ASSAULT - 19 for Feb (16 Jan) - In nearly all cases an offender/s has been charged. A number came to notice as a result of family violence incidents. Two offenders were charged after an incident in ARSON - 2 for Feb (9 Jan) - Offenders set fire to a rubbish bin at the rear of a premises in Rintoull St. Damage was also done to a vehicle later in the month. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 36 for Feb (51 Jan) - Two offenders were charged with property damage offences. The 36 offences can be broken into three groups. Ten businesses had windows or glass doors broken by rocks or by kicking. Thirteen vehicles had windows smashed by various means. Eight residences had windows broken by either rocks or objects being thrown. Mitchell House was again targeted. Police ask the community around this village to be aware of suspicious behaviour and report it to police or Crimestoppers. BURGLARY - 13 for Feb (27 Jan) - Most burglaries were committed after forcing entry to residential premises or sheds. There was no pattern with the offences being spread throughout town. THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 2 for Feb (17 Jan) - A portable DVD player was stolen from a vehicle in Winifred St. Offenders have also attempted to steal the baby seat from the vehicle. Plates were stolen off a vehicle in a car park in THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for Feb (8 Jan) - A four wheel drive motorbike was stolen from a shed which was also the subject of a burglary in THEFT - 17 for Feb (16 Jan) - One offender was charged with theft of fuel from a service station. Police are following up suspects in a number of thefts and shop thefts. One victim was approached in a car park and offered a $20 gift card for $20 cash. When the card was redeemed it was found to have less than $2 on the card. Police remind the community if approached by someone offering gift cards or charity cards for cash to notify police ASAP. Cash was removed from an account after an ATM card was lost. The victim had the card replaced but not cancelled. Police remind the community that if you lose or have your credit/debit card stolen to have the cards cancelled not just replaced. ISSUES RAISED MARCH – Traffic running red lights on the Speed zone change from Morwell to YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORTFEBRUARY ISSUES - nil CRIME REPORT ASSAULT - 1 for Feb (Nil Jan) - One offender is being followed up by police after an assault as a result of family violence. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for Feb (Nil Jan) - Both offences relate to vehicles. In the first case a suspect is being followed up for smashing a windscreen. In the second incident a vehicle was damaged by kicking. BURGLARY - Nil for Feb (Nil Jan) THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 1 for Feb (1 Jan) - Offenders entered the Boral yard in Quarry Rd and stole a CB radio from one of the unlocked trucks. An aerial from a nearby shed was also stolen. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for Feb (Nil Jan) - Sometime overnight on the 18th/19th February offenders stole a vehicle from the victim’s driveway. Neither vehicle has been recovered. THEFT (OTHER) - 3 for Feb (1 Jan) - TRUEnergy have again been the target with offenders entering a yard and stealing an amount of copper wire. Police ask the community to report breaches of the fence around the power station when they see them. Offenders have stolen diesel fuel from farm machinery at a premises on McDonalds Track. ISSUES RAISED MARCH – Suspect vehicle in MOE MEETING and CRIME REPORTFEBRUARY ISSUES Vehicles (motor cycles) using the bush reserve behind Baw Baw Hotel in state of disrepair - LCC states as the building is unoccupied it has no jurisdiction. Not a police issue. Motorised mobility devices and the impression they have complete right of way - This is an education issue. Trucks unloading in Burnt out house at Concern re pedestrian safety re exit stop sign positioning from lane beside Compensation re land acquisitions in CRIME REPORT - HOMICIDE - One offender charged with two counts of murder after an incident in High Street, Moe. ASSAULT - 14 for Feb (23 Jan) - Ten offenders charged with assault offences. One offender charged with assault police and three counts of making threats to kill after an incident in ARSON - 2 for Feb (3 Jan) - Offenders used an accelerant to set fire to two bins outside a rural property. In the other arson offenders set fire to the kitchen sink area of a vacant house in PROPERTY DAMAGE - 17 for Feb (18 Jan) - One offender charged as a result of a family violence incident. A large number of vehicles were damaged with windscreens being damaged by rocks, garden ornaments or other implements. Three incidents of damage occurred in the BURGLARY - 4 for Feb (10 Jan) - Unknown offenders entered the construction site at the Newborough East Primary stealing tools from a locked box. Offenders stole a handbag that was left in a kitchen. It appears that this may be related to a male attempting to enter houses whilst the victims were present in the THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 6 for Feb (17 Jan) - Whilst the drop in the number of TFMC is pleasing it is still frustrating that vehicle owners are leaving their vehicles unlocked and valuable property inside. Two laptops were stolen from from vehicles that were left unlocked, as were wallets from two other unlocked vehicles. This makes it very easy for the opportunistic thief. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for Feb (12 Jan) THEFT (OTHER) - 12 for Feb (16 Jan) - Two handbags were stolen at the Moe Outdoor Pool on the 1st Feb. Police remind the community to be aware of their property at all times. Gunns Gully Service Station had fuel stolen on three occasions with follow-up information provided to police. ISSUES RAISED MARCH MEETING – NHW sign has still not been erected in CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORTFEBRUARY ISSUES - Nil CRIME REPORT - ASSAULTS - 6 for Feb (8 Jan) – Of the six incidents of assault offenders have been charged in all bar one. For the remaining incident, a brawl at the Churchill Hotel, suspects have been identified and will be followed up by police. ARSON - Nil for Feb (Nil Jan) PROPERTY DAMAGE - 5 for Feb (12 Jan) - Two offenders were charged after an incident in Dunbar Gr. Plants were removed from the BURGLARY - 8 for Feb (7 Jan) - Two offenders have been charged with multiple counts of burglary after offences committed in THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for Feb (5 Jan) - Two unlocked vehicles were entered making it easy for opportunistic thieves. Stolen were a work bag with personal information and a laptop from each vehicle. Witnesses watched the offenders in one vehicle and then pursued them. Police advise when observing something like this to ring police immediately on 000. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for Feb (2 Jan) THEFT - 5 for Feb (1 Jan) - Police remind the community to be aware of their property at all times. A number of this month’s thefts were committed when the victims left handbags/purses/mobile phones in a spot/room and then moved away from their property. TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORTFEBRUARY ISSUES - Nil CRIME REPORT ASSAULT - 15 Feb (18 Jan) - Five offenders charged. Alcohol and family violence are still very prevalent in Traralgon incidents. ARSON - 2 Feb (1 Jan) - Offenders set fire to wheelie bins behind premises in PROPERTY DAMAGE - 28 for Feb (24 Jan) - A large number were committed on vehicles either parked outside or in the driveways of residential premises. Various implements from stones to pieces of wood were used to damage windows. Residential windows were also targeted with cans, stones and bottles thrown for no apparent reason. BURGLARY - 10 for Feb (11 Jan) - Most were committed on residential premises. Laptops and cash were the main items stolen. A charity tin from the bakery in THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 15 for Feb (10 Jan) – Nine of the 15 vehicles were unlocked. Of the nine eight were in residential driveways. In every incident items were left in full view of opportunistic thieves. There were three incidents in the THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for Feb (6 Jan) THEFT - 12 for Feb (10 Jan) - Two victims had their phones stolen at the entertainment precinct when they left the items sitting on tables whilst they went somewhere else in the club. Police remind the community to be vigilant about their property at all times. Handbags are also targeted by thieves in the venues. Two offenders were charged with shoplifting after a theft at Safeway on the 13th February. ISSUES RAISED MARCH – Freeway closure - Brett provided an update and advice re the Princes Freeway closure. Traralgon railway station precinct toilets – the graffiti in the toilets are not only an eyesore but are extremely graphic. This has previously been passed to Latrobe City Council. Brett to follow up. To receive this newsletter electronically by email, simply email Leading Senior Constable TRAFFIC CHANGES AROUND MORWELL AND SURROUNDS DUE TO FREEWAY CLOSUREPolice advise the community to increase observation and exercise heightened awareness in and around the Morwell district due to increased vehicular traffic on normally low traffic volume roads during the closure of the Princes Freeway at Morwell. Police patrols have been stepped up to monitor traffic behaviour and infringement notices will be issued to offending drivers. Real-Time Monitoring: Residents may have noticed orange trailers at the intersection of Speed Restriction Changes: East of Morwell the 100 km speed restriction has been removed and it is now a consistent 80 km per hour from Pedestrian Safety: Changed traffic conditions in the Morwell CBD has proved problematic for pedestrians along Commercial Road Pedestrian Lights: These were previously ‘on demand’ lights meaning at times only one or two vehicles could pass before the lights changed back to red for vehicular traffic. On the recommendation of police, Vicroads have advised the cycle has now been changed and the minimum time between cycles has been increased to one minute. This will allow the increased traffic volume on Princes Drive Mid Valley Pedestrian Lights: East bound motorists have been booked for failing to stop at these traffic lights on a regular basis. The most given excuse is that the driver is not noticing the lights as they are concentrating on those at the intersection at Increased Traffic Volume on Back Roads: Back roads in the Latrobe Valley, particularly North Road/Brown Coalmine Road/Moe-Glengarry Road from Yallourn North through Tyres, Glengarry and onto Rosedale; Latrobe Road Morwell and then Old Melbourne Road through to Traralgon and the Traralgon West Road have have seen significant increase in traffic volume. Police are patrolling these roads and motorists are advised to be aware of local traffic and pedestrian activity in these rural areas. Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au
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