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Neighbourhood Watch Latrobe Crimewatch News, Latrobe Police Service Area July 2014

Coming Events, Hot Spots, Inspector Dean Thomas, NHW Communiyies Group Reports, ÏCE"Community Information Session, Cyber Bullying.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 22nd July 2014 - Back to News

Latrobe Crime Watch News

Latrobe Police Service Area

Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

July 2014

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

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

Police:

Boolarra 5169 6222

Churchill 5122 1790

Moe 5128 1100

Morwell 5131 5000

Traralgon 5174 0900

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

Neighbourhood Watch

www.nhw.com.au

Neighbourhood Watch & Safer Communities Unit – Latrobe PSA, L/S/C Brett Godden 5131 5085

brett.godden@police. vic.gov.au

Facebook:

eyewatch - Latrobe Police Service Area

Newsletter Editor

erd5nhwnewsletter@ wideband.net.au

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/ latrobecrime.watch.3

Consumer Affairs

5116 5701.

Dispute Settlement Centre

1800 658 528

Latrobe City

1300 367 700

Nurse on Call

1300 606 024

Poisons Info 13 11 26

VicRoads – 131170

COMING EVENTS: OPEN INVITATION TO ALL LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENTS

Monday 21st July – ICE Forum - Lowanna College Auditorium, Newark Ave, Newborough - 6.30pm

Monday 4th August - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm

Tuesday 5th August - Traralgon Town Meeting –Traralgon RSL Boardroom, Grey St, Traralgon – 7pm Wednesday 6th August - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm

Tues 12th August - Yallourn North Action Group (NHW report given) - Monash Hall - Yallourn North –7 pm

Saturday 1st November - Proposed date for re-occupancy of Traralgon Police Station

HOT SPOT – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP BURGLARIES IN MOE'S SOUTH SIDE

Late June and early July saw a spate of burglaries committed on the south side of Moe

Sometime between 16/06/14 and 27/06/14 a flat in Ross Ave was entered through an unlocked front window with a TV and DVD player.

Shortly after midnight on 3 July an unlocked shed in Reservoir Rd was entered with a black and white "FIT" bicycle valued at $1500 stolen. On the same night around the same hours a shed which had been converted to a bedroom in Wirraway St was entered through a window but nothing was stolen.

Police urge any person with information in relation to these burglaries to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime/

INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOCAL AREA COMMANDER INSPECTOR DEAN THOMAS

It is with pleasure we introduce our new Inspector for the Latrobe Police Service Area, Inspector Dean Thomas.

Dean comes to us on promotion direct from his last position as the Officer in Charge of the Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit. He joined Victoria Police in 1987 and has spent the majority of his career in crime investigation, having worked at a number of Crime Investigation Units in metropolitan Melbourne, including the Homicide Squad and the Lorimer Task Force.

After serving as the Acting Inspector for a number of months, Dean was very pleased to have been selected to take on the Latrobe Local Area Commander's role in a permanent capacity from Inspector Mick West, who has moved to Bendigo having been promoted to Superintendent.

Whilst they are big shoes to fill, Dean is very much looking forward to working with the community and other stake holders and doing what he can to reduce crime and road trauma in Latrobe.

He says some of the major issues facing police in Latrobe are the high levels of family violence and the number of emergency management incidents that police have to manage including bushfires in summer and floods in winter. He is also very aware of how important Latrobe Valley is to the greater Victorian community with our region being the home of the state's major power stations.

Some of the crime related issues Dean will lead his troops in tackling include the increase in robbery and assault offences together with an increase in theft from motor vehicle and wilful damage offences. He says police have commenced an ongoing operation targeting our robbery and assault offences, focusing in and around our licensed premises, parks, public transport hubs and other areas where the public gather.

"My priorities are to provide an effective and efficient policing service to the community of Latrobe and to improve community safety," he says. "I intend to work closely with all stakeholders in this area to ensure we can make a difference. I will ensure we focus our road policing efforts on speed, drink and drug driving, hoon driving and mobile phone offending."

"The Latrobe Highway Patrol and our general duties members work very hard to make our roads safer and to reduce fatal and serious injury collisions. There is a very strong likelihood you will be required to undertake a roadside breath and/or drug test whilst driving on our roads and that your behaviour and speed behind the wheel will be monitored."

"I am currently based at the Morwell Police complex and I look forward to working with the community and stakeholders to make Latrobe a safer place to live, work and visit."

Inspector Thomas is keen to receive input from the local community saying "If you believe we can do things better or you have any other suggestions, please contact our Community Liaison Officer, Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden, so that he can pass it onto me. You can contact Brett on 5131 5085."

JUNE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT

There was no reported crime in the Boolarra Police Service Area in June after one theft in May.

CHURCHILL POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES JEERALANG)

ASSAULTS - 8 for June (9 for May) - Four offenders charged whilst police are following up an identified suspect in relation to another incident. Police are also investigating incidents in Switchback Rd and Walker Pde where alcohol seems to have played a large part in the incidents.

PROPERTY DAMAGE -10 for June (8 for May) - Three offenders charged. Three incidents involve letterboxes being damaged by being hit with an unknown object or being sprayed with paint. Letterboxes in Mc Donald Way (14/06/14), Walker Pde (15/06/14) and Ikara Way (25/06/14) were damaged.

BURGLARY - 2 for June (2 for May) - Between 6th and 10th June unknown offenders entered a house under construction in Glendonald Rd and stole six down lights. Overnight 15th June unknown offenders entered an unlocked residential shed which was set up as a games room in Fraser Cres.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for June (Nil for May) - The only vehicle stolen during June was located.

THEFT - Nil for June (4 for May)

MOE POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES NEWBOROUGH, MOE SOUTH AND HEARNS OAK)

ROBBERY - Nil for June (Nil for May) - Whilst there were no robberies reported during June there were three attempted robberies during the month. One offender was charged with attempted armed robbery whilst police are investigating two other incidents which occurred in Market St (04/06/14) and Moore St (17/06/14.)

ASSAULT - 15 for June (23 for May) - In all except two incidents an offender was charged. In the two incidents where an offender has not been charged police are following up an identified suspect.

ARSON - 2 for June (Nil for May) - Police are investigating an incident in Frys Track in which TV’s, car tyres and household rubbish was deliberately set alight whilst between 13th and 16th June unknown offenders set rubbish alight in the bin area of Lowanna College causing minor damage.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 19 for June (22 for May) - Six offenders charged whilst police are following up identified suspects in relation to incidents in Darlimurla Rd (12/06/14) and Dinwoodie Dr (28/06/14.) Damage to windows at Lowanna was committed at the same time as a number of vehicle damages in Morwell and Traralgon on 13th June.

BURGLARY - 10 for June (4 for May) - Two offenders charged with one facing two counts. Jewellery, cash and clothing was stolen overnight from a residence in Margaret St whilst a pressure washer was stolen from an unlocked shed in Marshall St, Yallourn North overnight 15th June.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 17 for June (4 for May) - One offender charged. Police are investigating a spate of thefts from motor vehicle in Yallourn overnight 22nd June. The thefts occurred in Baillie St, North Rd (2), Boundary Rd (2), Murray St and Somerset Rd. There was also an attempted theft from motor vehicle in Boundary Rd.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for June (3 for May) - One offender charged with the vehicle located. At the time of publication the only outstanding vehicle is a 2001 Yamaha YZ125 motor cycle blue in colour stolen around 1st June from Margaret St.

THEFT (OTHER) - 7 for June (11 for May) - Two offenders charged. A window and frame were stolen from a house under construction in Sweetwater Pl between 1st and 21st June whilst a number of electrical items were stolen from a gazebo in the rear yard of a residence in Belbrook St overnight 24th June.

ISSUES RAISED AT JULY MEETING: Hooning at the intersection of Albert & Saviges Roads; Issues in the Moore Street shared zone have been passed from LCC to VicRoads; The use of fog lights and when not necessary; and speeding on Monash Rd Newborough, especially bad during school crossing time.

YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 1 for June (1 for May) - Two offenders charged with threats to inflict serious injury and unlawful assault.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 June (2 May) - An offender charged with assault was charged with 2 counts of threat to destroy property.

BURGLARY - 3 for June (Nil May) - One offender charged. Two burglaries were committed on unlocked sheds with a firearms safe accessed in one of the sheds whilst a pressure washer was stolen from a shed in Marshall St between 15th and 17th June.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 8 for June (2 for May) - Police are investigating a spate of thefts from motor vehicle in Yallourn overnight 22nd June. The thefts occurred in Baillie St, North Rd (2), Boundary Rd (2), Murray St and Somerset Rd. There was also an attempted theft from motor vehicle in Boundary Rd.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for June (1 for May) - The offender charged with burglary was also charged with theft of motor vehicle. The vehicle has been located.

MORWELL POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT

MURDER - One person was charged with murder during June.

ROBBERY - Nil for June (3 for May)

ASSAULT - 25 for June (21 for May) - Nineteen offenders charged with assault related offences with one facing two counts. Police are following up identified suspects in four of the incidents with one female suspect wanted in relation to two incidents. In the only incident where there is no suspect or offender a male was kicked by two males in the Mid Valley Car park on 14th June.

ARSON - 1 for June (4 for May) - A vehicle was set alight by unknown offenders in Heywood St on 12th June.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 52 for June (26 for May) - Eleven offenders charged. Twenty-three of the damages relate to a spree which occurred overnight 13th June. Police believe these incidents are linked to similar incidents which occurred in Traralgon in the early hours of 14th June.

BURGLARY - 11 for June (14 for May) - Between 26th and 28th June Morwell Netball Club, Morwell Scout Hall and Enjoy Church were broken into offenders forcing entry through windows (netball courts) or doors. The offenders have since been apprehended and charged with multiple offences. Confectionary was stolen from the netball club whilst cash and a dishwasher were stolen from the scouts. Various expensive items were stolen from the church.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 5 for June (7 for May) - Three offenders charged with TFMC as well as attempted TFMC. Police are following up two identified suspects in relation to another incident. Two vehicles in yards in Wegner St and Princes Dr were broken into with CB radios, tools, camping equipment stolen.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for June (5 for May) - Four offenders charged with all five vehicles have been located.

THEFT - 12 for June (17 for May) - Two offenders charged whilst police are following up identified suspects in relation to two other incidents.

ISSUES RAISED AT JULY MEETING: Hooning along Hourigan Road; Hooning on Maryvale Road; Untidy houses in the area; The state of Gudes Arcade; Street lighting in Maryvale Road near Heritage Manor; Graffiti around town; and Homeless people sleeping in public toilets.

TRARALGON POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT (INCLUDES TYERS, GLENGARRY, TOONGABBIE, HAZELWOOD NORTH, TRARALGON SOUTH)

ROBBERY - 2 for June (Nil for May) - One offender charged with robbery whilst police are investigating the theft of a handbag from a female victim in Miles St on 12th June.

ASSAULT - 24 for June (24 for May) - Nineteen offenders charged whilst police are following up identified suspects in relation to four other incidents. Threats to kill which were made via letter to an address in Callignee are being investigated.

ARSON - 1 for June (2 for May) - A vehicle was set alight in the drive way of a residence in Cameron St on 15th June.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 62 for June (33 for May) - Six offenders charged with four having also been charged with assault related offences. Thirty-two vehicles had windows smashed overnight 13th June with a vehicle being driven onto the Traralgon Cricket Club grounds causing damage.

BURGLARY - 8 for June (18 for May) - Two offenders charged. Four of the burglaries were committed on unlocked garages or sheds. Two unlocked vehicles were searched with nothing stolen. The Toongabbie Cricket Club was broken into overnight 11th June with coins and alcohol stolen.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 20 for June (12 for May) - Most of the thefts were committed in residential driveways or outside residential addresses (15) with a tarp stolen from a ute in a car park at LRH on 7th June. Wallets, handbags, coins and GPS units are amongst the items stolen.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for June (4 for May) - One of the vehicles stolen has been located. At the time of publication the vehicles outstanding are: QCU207 1986 Nissan Ute white in colour stolen 06/06/14 from Firmins Lane, Hazelwood South and 1982 Honda 500cc red in colour trail bike stolen 08/06-10/06/1 from Barrington Pde, Traralgon.

THEFT - 14 for June (17 for May) - Three offenders charged. A walker and foot stool were stolen from the front porch of a residence in Princes St overnight 4th June whilst a sensor light which was fixed six metres from the ground on a house wall in High St was stolen overnight 12th June.

ISSUES RAISED AT JULY MEETING: The only issue raised was speeding in Stockdale Road, including during school start and finish times and this issue was passed onto the Latrobe Highway Patrol.

Police remind the community if they see something suspicious they should ring 000 or if they have information in relation to an offence contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report on the Crime Stoppers web site at https://vic.crimestoppers.com.au/help-solve-crime/report-crime-information-here

DON’T FORGET THE "ICE" COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION AT MOE

Don't forget Moe Police and support organisations will be hosting an "ICE" Community Information Night on Monday 21st July, 2014, to be held in the auditorium of Lowanna College.

The free information night is being held in response to local police's growing concern about the increased availability and use of the street drug known as "ICE" and of other synthetic drugs in the community.

When: Monday 21st July, 2014

Where: Lowanna College Auditorium, Newark Ave Newborough

Time: 6.30pm (for a 7.00pm start) with an approximate finish

time of 9.00pm.

Bookings: Moe Police on 5128 1100

WHAT IS CYBER BULLYING?

Cyber bullying is the use of technology to bully a person or group. Bullying is repeated behaviour by an individual or group with the intent to harm another person or group.

In the case of cyber bullying the intended harm may be social, psychological and even, in extreme cases, physical. It can cause shame, guilt, fear, withdrawal, loneliness and depression.

Because children and young people are often online it can be hard for them to escape cyber bullying. Nasty messages, videos and gossip can spread fast online and are hard to delete. Sometimes the attackers can be anonymous and hard to stop. These factors make it harder for adults to see and harder to manage.

Source Cyber[smart] at: www.cybersmart.gov.au

CYBER BULLYING - WHERE TO GO TO GET INFORMATION

CYBER BULLYING - SEXTING

"Sexting" refers to the sharing of nude photographs, sexually explicit messages and videos via mobile telephones. However, the incidents are not confined to telephones, it happens with other devices as well as Internet.

Unfortunately, teenagers and younger children fall into the trap of thinking it is funny to send sexually explicit messages, videos or nude photos of themselves or of friends to others.

They can target peers they know the practice will upset and bombard them with images causing great distress to the recipient.

This is bullying and it must be remembered the practice is illegal and it can lead to serious legal and psychological ramifications.

Parents should educate their children not to take or send nude or sexually suggestive photos of themselves or anyone else. Teach your child never take a photograph of themselves that they wouldn’t want everyone, including classmates, teachers, friends, family and employers to see. Set rules for your child’s use of all electronic media, including mobile phones and follow through with consequences when the rules are broken.

Remember, even if the photo is of them or they pass along someone else’s photograph, they could be charged with producing or distributing pornography or child pornography.

For further information visit the Australian Communications and Media Authority’s Cyber Smart website at http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

CYBER BULLYING - RULES TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ADULTS TO LIVE BY

Arming your children and yourself with some basic strategies to protect both them and you from cyber bullying is the first step in combatting cyber bullying. Cyber bullying may occur via mobile phones, on Facebook, on Twitter, via emails or any other form of electronic communication.

Here is a list of rules you can teach your children, or learn yourself, from the moment they start to use electronic mediums.

• Mobile phone numbers, email addresses, Facebook and Twitter account details should not be given out to people they do not know or with whom they are not friends;
• Whenever these details are given to someone, make sure that person is asked not to give them to anyone else;
• Never meet up with anyone they have only met through the cyber world;
• Never send nude or sexually explicit photographs to anyone and enforce this is a criminal offence;
• Do not respond to inappropriate, vicious or bullying communications;
• Always tell a parent, teacher or trusted adult if inappropriate or bullying communications are received;
• Do not return calls or messages from people or numbers that are not recognised;
• Teach your child how to use caller ID blocking to hide their phone number and set Facebook and Twitter security settings to the highest possible privacy settings.
• Learn how to block emails and people on Facebook;
• If your child is being bullied teach them not to react as reaction is what the bully is looking for;
• To prevent undue stress and worry, turn off the phone or stop using Facebook, Twitter or emails until privacy settings are improved and addresses or phone numbers are changed.
• Save any messages or photographs or screen shot and save them where possible recording the time and date they were received so they can be used as evidence should the police be called;
• Encourage your child to talk to their friends about the bullying as peer support is very important;

If as a parent you find you cannot deal with the bullying, do not hesitate to seek assistance, including reporting the bullying to police.

It is important parents, teachers, responsible adults and even children's peers let the victims of bullying know they are not alone. Cyber bullying can make the victims feel very alone and can emotionally affect them for years to come. It is important victims, whether children or adults, know they are not alone and there is always someone they can turn to.

CYBER BULLYING - NEED MORE INFORMORMATION? GO TO

. Cybersmart is a national cybersafety and cybersecurity education program managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to cybersafety. The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of its target audiences of children, young people, parents, teachers and library staff.

Cybersmart aims to inform children, young people, parents, teachers and library staff about cybersafety issues; educate audiences through information, resources and practical advice; and empower children and young people to be safe online.

The Cybersmart program includes the comprehensive Cybersmart website and a range of information and resources to meet the needs of all user groups. Resources are free of charge in Australia.

On the Cybersmart website you can also access the Cybersmart Outreach Professional Development for Educators; the Pre-Service Teacher program for trainee teachers; an online Professional Development program; Internet Safety Awareness presentations available in metropolitan and Regional centres throughout Australia; Interactive Shared Learning programs Cybersmart Detectives, Cybersmart Networking and Cybersmart Hero; and The Cybersmart Online Helpline – a service for young people who have experienced issues online.

Cyber[smart] is available in a variety of mediums to suit all users including the World Wide Web,

Cyber Parents Facebook, Twitter and You Tube. You can access the services online at: www.cybersmart.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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