Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local NewsNeighbourhood Watch Crime Watch News January 2013Coming Events, Message from Inspector West,Hot Spots, Neighbourhood Watch Group Reports, Crime prevention Tips. Latrobe Crime Watch NewsLatrobe Police Service AreaNeighbourhood Watch Creating Safer CommunitiesJanuary 2013IMPORTANTNUMBERSEmergency 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@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, Nurse on Call 1300 606 024, Poisons Information 13 11 26, VicRoads 131170 COMING EVENTS: OPEN INVITATION TO ALL LATROBE VALLEY RESIDENTSMonday 4th February - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - - Moe RSL – Tuesday 5th February - Traralgon Town Meeting - Traralgon Police Station, Wednesday 6th February - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Wednesday 13th February - Wednesday 20th February - Churchill District and Community Association Meeting - Churchill Community Hall - 7 pm Sat 2nd March – Rotary Playground Celebration - MESSAGE FROM INSPECTOR MICK WESTGood day to all citizens of the City of With the New Year rapidly progressing and the warmer weather firmly entrenched, our district has become very dry which makes us very prone to fire activity. With the recent Aberfeldy / Seaton / Glenmaggie fire still very fresh in our minds, it is timely to remind people in the community to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour in the bush. Extra police will be rostered on patrol on days of high fire risk to deter arsonists and assist with early detection of fires. Since my last report we have seen a reduction in crimes against property which is very pleasing however our crimes against the persons have increased by 16.8%. We are continuing to focus our efforts against all assaults particularly those that occur around licensed venues and those involving family violence. The Latrobe Family Violence Unit is having a huge impact across the community, however despite their great work we have seen an increase of 13.5% in reported family violence incidents. We are hoping that these incidents will start to reduce with all the good work being undertaken in the community by police and our partner agencies. We have recorded some pleasing results in the area of theft of and from motor vehicle across the PSA. Theft from motor cars are down 18.9% and theft of motor vehicle is down 27.7%, a very pleasing result. I urge everyone to ensure their vehicle is locked when parked in your driveway. On a less positive note burglary offences have risen across Latrobe in the last quarter. Residential burglaries have risen 11% and commercial burglaries 4.2% Rest assured we are stepping up our efforts in this area and we would ask anyone who notices anything suspicious in the community to contact triple zero (000) or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. On behalf of all police within the Latrobe Police Service Area I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable 2013. I ask that everyone drives safely and socialises in a safe and respectful manner so we can keep Latrobe’s road toll well below the eight that was recorded in 2012. HOT SPOTS – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELPSUSPICIOUS GRASS FIRE AT BOOLARRA.At approximately 12.30 p.m on Thursday the 24th of January, 2013, emergency service units responded to a suspicious grass fire on The prompt response by passers-by and members of the Boolarra CFA stemmed the spread of the fire and restricted it to a small area. This response was pivotal in preventing property loss and injury to members of the community. Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit is investigating the fire and members of the community who are able to assist with information regarding the identity of those involved are requested to contact Detective Senior Constable Brett MILLER on 51317028 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. HOT SPOTS – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELPATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY AT MORWELL BP SERVICE STATIONThe Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit is seeking information regarding an Attempted Armed Robbery committed at Morwell’s BP Service Station on Three offenders, who hid their faces by wearing masks and hoodies, entered the service station with one carrying a bag, one a knife and the other a length of wood. The store attendant saw the offenders approaching and ran and locked himself in another room. The offenders approached the counter before they decamped the service area at the same time yelling abuse at the store attendant. It is suspected one of the offenders stole a loaf of bread and a chocolate bar upon leaving the store. 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 Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5000. HOT SPOTS – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELPARMED ROBBERY AT MORWELL’s WELL STREET FISH AND CHIP SHOPThe Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit is seeking information regarding an Armed Robbery committed at Morwell’s Well Street Fish & Chip Shop at approximately 6.45 pm on Saturday the 19th of January 2013. Two males, who were armed with knives, entered the fish and chip shop and threatened the store attendant and were last seen heading away from the scene along 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 Ormerod, Latrobe Criminal Investigation Unit on 5131 5000 DECEMBER NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTSCHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORTThere were no December or January meetings. ASSAULTS - 6 for December (6 November) - Six offenders charged with most being as a result of family violence incidents. One offender faces three counts of unlawful assault as a result of one incident. Police are following up a suspect in relation to an assault in Walker Pde on 5th December. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 8 for December (4 November) - Three offenders charged. Two vehicles parked outside residential addresses in BURGLARY - 6 for December (3 November) - The only burglary not in a residential area was on the Churchill Golf Club when unknown offenders entered the club house by smashing a window and stealing alcohol overnight 26th December. An OKUMA brand reel was stolen from a residential shed in Mathison Circuit between 8th and 10th December. THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for December (Nil November) - Overnight 30th December unknown offenders syphoned petrol from a vehicle parked in THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for December (Nil November) - The only vehicle stolen during December has been recovered. THEFT - 2 for December (1 November) - One offender charged. A large amount of fishing gear was stolen from a boat in the front yard of an address in MOE/NEWBOROUGH MEETING and CRIME REPORTThere were no December or January meetings. SEX OFFENCES - One offender charged with two counts of wilful and obscene exposure. ASSAULT - 29 for December (23 November) - In all incidents an offender has been charged. Two males face four counts of reckless conduct endangering life as a result of throwing items from a walkway over the freeway. Other offenders will face multiple charges as a result of family violence incidents. ARSON - 5 for December (Nil November) - Two offenders charged with criminal damage by fire. Grass and a wheelie bin were both damaged in small fires in PROPERTY DAMAGE - 32 for December (27 November) - Ten offenders charged. Some face multiple charges with one facing three counts. The two offenders charged with reckless conduct also face four counts each of criminal damage. BURGLARY - 13 for December (16 November) - Power tools were the most common items stolen during December with various tools stolen from both residential and business premises. The most common point of entry is a rear window or sliding door. THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 11 for December (3 November) - Six of the thefts occurred when unknown offenders entered unlocked vehicles. Once again police remind the community that leaving a vehicle unlocked in a driveway, car park or street with property visible makes it ridiculously easy for the opportunistic thief. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for December (2 November) - Three of the vehicles stolen during December have been recovered. Caravan 12465 was stolen between 25th December and 1st January from THEFT (OTHER) - 12 for December (13 November) - Two offenders charged with one facing two counts from separate incidents. Members of the public still persist in leaving handbags, wallets, phones and purses on tables or benches. Police advise strongly against this practice. YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORTThere were no December or January meetings. ASSAULT - 2 for December (1 November) - In both family violence incidents an offender has been charged. ARSON - 1 for December (Nil November) - Police are investigating a fire which occurred in a pine plantation on PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for December (1 November) - Police are making follow up enquires in relation to damage to a water ski slalom course at Lake Narracan on 8th December. Unknown offenders damaged and then stole a security light at the Primary School on 14th December. BURGLARY - 3 for December (1 November) - Two offenders charged. Cash and a games console was stolen from a property in THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 1 for December (1 November) - The two offenders charged with burglary also face theft from motor vehicle charges. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for December (Nil November) - The two offenders charged with theft from motor vehicle and burglary have also been charged with theft of motor vehicle. THEFT (OTHER) - Nil for December (1 November) BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORTASSAULTS - 2 for December (Nil November) - In both incidents an offender has been charged. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for December (Nil November) - One offender charged. BURGLARY - 2 for December (Nil November) - A holiday home in Budgeree Rd, Budgeree was broken into between 2nd and 23rd December whilst a rural shed in Middle Creek Rd, Yinnar Sth was entered with a chainsaw and firearm stolen. THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for December (1 November) THEFT - 2 for December (1 November) - Overnight 16th December two young males stole Christmas lights from a property in MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORTThere were no December or January meetings. ASSAULT - 32 for December (22 November) - In all incidents an offender has been charged with assault related offences with some facing multiple charges. ARSON - 4 for December (Nil November) - Four offenders charged with criminal damage by fire. A small grass fire was lit on 17th December near Dell Circuit. Police are following up possible suspects. A tractor was burnt out on a rural property in PROPERTY DAMAGE - 33 for December (28 November) - Fourteen offenders charged. Overnight 26th December four premises in Sherrin St, Wells St and BURGLARY - 27 for December (29 November) - Five offenders charged. Burglaries were spread fairly evenly between residential premises and retail or industrial businesses. A number of premises have had doors or windows forced however, nothing appears to be stolen. THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 11 for December (15 November) - One offender charged. A number of the vehicles from which various items were stolen were left unlocked. A GPS, alcohol, a bike helmet, mobile phone and bags were among the items stolen. THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for December (8 November) - One offender charged. Three of the vehicles stolen have been located. Four off road motorcycles were stolen from a residence in THEFT - 11 for December (13 November) - One offender charged whilst police are following up a suspect in relation to a theft in TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORTThere were no December or January meetings. MURDER - One offender has been charged with murder during December. SEX OFFENCES - Two offenders have been charged with offences of a sexual nature during December. ROBBERY - 2 for December (2 November) - One offender charged with attempted armed robbery whilst another has been charged with armed robbery from a separate incident. ASSAULT - 29 for December (28 November) – Twenty-nine offenders charged. Police are making follow up enquiries in relation to an assault at McDonalds on 2nd December where the victim was assaulted by three offenders. ARSON - 1 for December (4 November) - One offender charged with criminal damage by fire. PROPERTY DAMAGE - 26 for December (34 November) - Seven offenders charged. Overnight 17th December two sets of Christmas lights damaged in Archer Crt whilst overnight 29th December unknown offender/s damaged flowers and ornaments at BURGLARY - 32 for December (20 November) - Six offenders charged. One faces five counts, another faces three with another facing two counts from separate incidents. Overnight two businesses in THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 20 for December (13 November) - Overnight 9th December there were two thefts and one attempted theft from motor vehicle in Gwalia St whilst on 10th December there were two more in THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for December (5 November) - All four vehicles stolen during December have been recovered. THEFT - 11 for December (22 November) - Overnight 6th December two cement statues were stolen from the front gates of a property located on the Princes Hwy. Evidence suggests two or more offenders would be required to break the statutes from their stands and remove them from the scene. . MICRO SLEEPS CAN KILLIn September the editor received an email from one of our neighbourhood watchers asking us to raise the dangers of micro sleeps whist driving. Karen, our Longwarry newsletter editor, requested to share her personal experience when she was a passenger in a vehicle. This is what Karen had to say; "I was passenger in a vehicle last weekend driving to But, we were very lucky. I have noticed there has been several other accidents of similar nature where they were not so fortunate as us. We had done the right thing. We had stopped every two hours for a proper break and swapped drivers. The accident happened at 10 am (on a wet road that did not contribute to the accident). It is frightening how easy this could happen, and I would like to be able to warn other drivers before another fatality happens in the Baw Baw shire." So what is a Micro sleep? According to the VicRoads website at http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/SafetyAndRules/SafetyIssues/Fatigue/FatigueAndRoadSafety.htm "Micro sleeps, known as ‘nodding off’, are unintended periods of light sleep that typically last between 2 and 20 seconds. You lose attention and may stare blankly, close your eyes or find your head snapping upright. Micro sleeps are likely to occur when a driver is driving at the times they would normally be asleep and when they are tired and trying to stay awake. The danger for fatigued drivers is that during a micro sleep a driver does not react to a hazardous situation and will not see a red light, or notice that the road has taken a curve or that their vehicle has travelled to the incorrect side of the road." In other words, micro sleeps are a sure sign that you are fatigued. If you
then listen to your body. It is warning you that you need to rest. Pull to the side of the road and have a power nap, get out of the car and have a walk or stop at a café and have a coffee or a meal. Do not forget, you are not only responsible for your own safety. You are also responsible for the safety of all other road users, pedestrians and citizens in front yards or apparently in the safety of their own home or at work. A vehicle travelling at any speed can easily go through fences and walls. Hitting an immovable object may cause great heartache and tragedy. Karen and her family were lucky on this occasion and it has been a lesson well learnt. Hopefully, we can all learn from Karen’s experience. KEEP YOUR DRIVEWAY KIDSAFEDriveway run overs of children are becoming increasingly common. These incidents have a devastating effect on families, particularly when the driver is a family member or friend. Children are unpredictable. They are naturally inquisitive, as well as being surprisingly quick and mobile. Their small size, together with the large blind spots behind most cars, means that children standing or stepping behind the vehicle often cannot be seen from the driver’s seat. Even if the vehicle is fitted with parking sensors or a reversing camera, children may not be noticed until it is too late to stop. Often, a young child follows an adult outside to say goodbye or to see what they are doing, then moves behind the vehicle and isn’t seen until it is too late. The Facts: Most driveway run overs occur in the driveway of the child’s own home, or in a friend or relative’s driveway. The driver is usually a parent, relative or family friend. In 85% of cases, the driver does not know that a child is close to the vehicle; they think they are being looked after elsewhere. Incidents usually involve children under the age of 5, most often, children around 2 years of age. All cars have a blind spot – some up to more than 15 metres- which can make it difficult to see a child. Any vehicle can be involved in a driveway runover; the most common are 4WDs, utes, trucks and vans. Most driveway run overs occur in the morning (between 8am-10am) and late afternoon (between 4pm and 6pm). Safety Tips Never leave young children alone to play, especially near parked or moving vehicles. If there is only one adult at home and there is a need to move the vehicle, even for a small distance, ensure young children are placed securely in the vehicle while the vehicle is being moved. Any children not in the vehicle should be kept well away and actively supervised by an adult who is holding their hands, to ensure a clear passage for the vehicle to move. Treat the driveway like a road. Do not let children use the driveway as a play area. Separate children’s playspaces from garages and driveways. Some design features that can prevent children accessing the driveway include fitting high handles to garage doors, fences separating the house and garden from the driveway, and self closing doors and gates. On farms, in addition to providing a barrier between the farmhouse and the driveway, a second inaccessible driveway can be built for farm vehicles. All vehicles have blind spots. Reversing sensors and cameras can assist with reducing blind spots, however, even when these are used, it may still be difficult to notice a small child until it is too late. It is important not to become complacent when these devices are used. There is no adequate replacement for the active supervision of children by an adult. Drivers should get into the habit of walking around their vehicle before getting into it when leaving an area where a young child is present. When choosing a car, check its rear visibility rating on the NRMA Reversing Visibility Table (http://www.nrma.com.au/car-reversing-visibility-tables). LOCAL LAW CLAUSE 32 - TREES AND PLANTS NOT TO OBSTRUCT OR OBSCUREThe Management of Roads and Traffic is one area covered by
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