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Latrobe Crime Watch News Letter Latrobe Police Service Area July 2011Hot Spots, Motorised Mobility Devices, Crime Reports for Moe, Yallourn North, Churchill, Morwell, Traralgon. By Malcolm Lawrence - 21st July 2011 - Back to News Latrobe Crime Watch News
Latrobe Police Service Area
Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities
JUNE 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
HOT SPOTS – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC’S HELP
ASSAULT AT TRARALGON
Morwell detectives are appealing for witnesses to a serious assault which occurred just after midnight on Saturday 2 July at a hotel in Franklin Street, Traralgon. A 19-year-old Calignee man suffered serious facial injuries from the assault which occurred near an ATM machine situated inside the hotel. Investigators are currently reviewing security footage obtained from the venue and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the incident. Police are also interested in speaking to a man who was seen standing behind the victim prior to the assault taking place. The man is described as Caucasian, aged in his early 20s and wearing a dark shirt. 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 Morwell Police on 5131 5000.
MOTORISED MOBILITY DEVICES
These days being elderly or disabled does not mean you have to be confined to your home. Some of our frail and infirmed citizens have surrendered their driving licences or simply stopped driving. This can be due to age or medical problems such as failing eyesight or diminishing reflexes and judgement. However, they have found they can still get around town using a Motorised Mobility Devices (MMD’s).
As more of our elderly citizens are taking to the streets in MMD’s it is timely to start educating our citizens, clear up a few misconceptions about MMD’s and to answer a few questions.
To this end Gippsland Road Safe in conjunction with its partners Victoria Police and Latrobe City Council will be conducting free information sessions to be held at the International Power Traffic School in Morwell. The first session will be on Wednesday 27th of July.
The goal of these sessions is to reduce the number of accidents involving MMD’s and to increase the knowledge of users in the areas of the safe use and maintenance of MMDs and to increase awareness of Road Rules and safe speeds. The sessions will offer support, training and knowledge sharing to users who suffer an impairment and who are required to use MMD’s.
Activities to be conducted include:
Introductory sessions by membersof RoadSafe;
Presentationsby Victoria Police in relation to definingwhat is apedestrian,speedand power limits for MMD’s, road rules, safety tips, alcoholand other offences, insurance and what to do in the event ofbreakdowns;
Presentation from GMS Rehabilitation on how to maintain the device safely and servicing requirements;
Every participant will be provided with a free safety packincluding a flag to attach to their device, a pre-safety checklist, a free helmet meeting Australian Standards and a high visibility vest.
For further information on sessions contact Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions in relation to Motorised Mobility Devices:
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Is a MMD a motor vehicle? Generally speaking, no, it is not. A MMD only becomes a motor vehicle if it can travel at more than 10 km per hour or or has greater than 200 watts of power. |
Who can use a MMD? A person can use a motorised mobility device if they are injured or disabled and also if they are unable to walk or have difficulty in walking. |
Do I need a licence or medical examination to operate a MMD? No you do not. However you should speak to your GP or occupational therapist before buying one. |
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Can a MMD be registered with VicRoads? No, it cannot as it is not a motor vehicle. However, if your MMD can travel at more than 10 km/h or has more than 200 watts of power then it is a motor vehicle and must be registered. . If this is the case you cannot use it on footpaths. |
Do I have to have Insurance for my MMD? A motorised wheelchair is not required to have third party insurance.
However, there are public liability policies, house contents and personal effects policies and personal accident policies. Speak to an insurance broker about your choices. |
What can I do if my MMD breaks down whilst I am out? Always make sure that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. RACV provides roadside emergency and breakdown assistance on 13 72 28 but if you call remember to ask if a charge is involved. |
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Is the driver of a MMD a pedestrian or a driver of a vehicle? The driver of a MMD is a pedestrian. At law a pedestrian includes – A person driving a motorised wheelchair that cannot travel at over 10 kilometres per hour (on level ground); and a person in a non-motorised wheelchair; and a person pushing a motorised or non-motorised wheelchair; and a person in or on a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy. |
Can I drive my MMD in traffic? NO you cannot. When driving a MMD you are a pedestrian and must travel on the footpath. You must obey all road rules as a pedestrian and drivers of motor vehicles must treat you as a pedestrian. You must cross a road by the shortest direct route. When crossing at traffic lights you may start to cross on the green light or green man. You must use a footpath where available. If you need to travel on the road you must keep as close to the kerb as possible. |
Can I be charged with drink driving a MMD? Yes, you can. Remember you are a pedestrian and you should not operate a MMD if you are affected by alcohol. If your MMD is powered by a 200w motor and will not do more than 10km/h on level ground the offence is being Drunk in a public place. If the device is capable of more than 10km/h or is powered by a motor greater than 200w, then you will be charged under the Road Safety Act with the appropriate drink driving offence, such as Exceeding .05 or Driving Under the Influence (DUI). |
MORWELL MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES - Tree roots lifting footpaths in Butters Street - Previous advice has been given to contact LCC.
Inappropriate use of motorised scooters by non-disabled people - This is an education issue and will be addressed by seminars.
Speed humps required in the Butters and Angus Streets area - LTB16 advised of the process to get speed humps in the street.
Pedestrian danger in Commercial road near I-Gain - Process in place and Strategic Traffic Advisory Group are dealing with it.
Problem of untidy premises - unsightly, a health hazard, and a worry for neighbours - Previous advice on contacting LCC. Be persistent. Freeway Closure Survey - Ellen and Dianne reported on Q & A they did in Commercial Road. Answers from the Emergency Management Team were provided on the special edition. General nuisance caused by mini bike riders – To Highway Patrol for attention.
CRIME REPORT
ASSAULT - 16 for June (15 May) - Twelve offenders charged. A number of assaults took place in public areas with a few involving young females as both aggressor and victims.
ARSON - 1 for June (1 May) - Furniture which was stored next to a unit was deliberately set alight in Jane St.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 33 for June (33 May) - Eight offenders charged. A number came to police notice as a result of family violence incidents. Over the past 12 months (June 2010 to June 2011) Morwell has the greatest number of property damages with 493 reported incidents. Streets that have had ten or more incidents are Vary St, Princes Dr, Bridle Rd, Commercial Rd, Crinigan Rd, Junier St and Sherrin St. Over the last month property damages have occurred in Bridle Rd (4), Elgin St (2), Holmes Rd (2), Princes Dr (2), Tarwin St (2), The Boulevard (2), Vary St (2) and Vasey St (2).
BURGLARY - 24 for June (15 May) - Two offenders charged. Most burglaries occurred in residential areas with entry gained through a forced window. Rear windows were the target of choice for the burglars. IPods, game consoles and cash were the most common items stolen.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 26 for June (17 May) - Four offenders will face seven counts each of TFMC after a spate of thefts which were committed on 21st June. These offenders have also been charged with three attempted thefts. GPS units, tools, wallets and cash were the main items stolen.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for June (4 May) - A motorbike from a burglary in Old Melbourne Rd has yet to be recovered whilst a vehicle stolen from Skeldale Wynd has been recovered and returned to the owner. There was also an attempted theft in Buckley St late in the month.
THEFT - 16 for June (30 May) - One offender charged. Two trailers were stolen from residential premises with chains and padlocks being cut in one incident. Wallets and phones were amongst the items stolen when victims put them on counters or benches. There has been an increase in the number of purses being stolen out of handbags in shopping trolleys. Princes Dr has had eight thefts with Commercial Rd having three.
ISSUES RAISED JULY – Nil. Volunteers are observing and recording hoon behaviour in Butters Street with none recorded to date.
CHURCHILL and DISTRICT MEETING and CRIME REPORT
JUNE ISSUES - Youth behaviour in shopping centre - Brett provided advice and Churchill Harmony Group has been created to look at this issue.
ASSAULTS - 6 for June (2 May) - Seven offenders charged. In one incident two offenders were charged with recklessly caused injury and affray.
ARSON - 0 for June (1 May)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 12 for June (8 May) - Six offenders charged with some coming to notice as a result of family violence incidents. Over the past month multiple property damages occurred in Barooga Pl (2) and Bookoola Pl (2).
BURGLARY - 7 for June (3 May) - Lumen Christi School canteen was burgled twice with thieves stealing food and drinks. The Churchill Football Club was targeted with alcohol being stolen after offenders smashed a window to enter the premises.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for June (0 May) - All bar one of the thefts occurred in residential driveways. A taillight assembly, wallet and fuel were amongst the items stolen.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for June (1 May) - One offender charged. The vehicle has now been returned to the owner.
THEFT - 1 for June (2 May) - One offender charged after stealing money from a purse in an office. Thefts of fuel from service stations and vehicles is becoming more common.
ISSUES RAISED JULY – Meeting not held at time of printing.
MOE MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES - NHW Sign in High St has not been erected - Brett to follow up with depot. Community audit - Joan Van Der Koogh reported on the audit. Vehicles speeding in Monash Rd - Descriptions have been requested and information passed to Highway Patrol. A house on the corner of Watsons Rd and John St is burnt out - Brett has had a conversation with MADRA re this issue. LCC is aware of this issue.
CRIME REPORT
ASSAULT - 13 for June (12 May) - In all 13 incidents an offender was charged with either single or multiple counts of assault. A number of these assaults came to police notice as a result of family violence incidents.
ARSON - 2 for June (1 May) - There was an attempted criminal damage by arson. An unoccupied house in Bealiba Rd and rubbish bins in Frys Track were the other arson incidents.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 14 for June (9 May) - Two offenders charged with criminal damage as a result of family violence incidents. Over the past twelve months streets that have had ten or more incidents of property damage are Moore St, Lloyd St and Monash Rd in Newborough. Over the last month multiple property damages occurred in Moore St (4), Worth Cr (3) and Monash Rd (2). On 14th June two damages were committed in Canberra St.
BURGLARY - 7 for June (7 May) - Two offenders were charged with two counts each of burglary. Businesses and sporting clubs were targeted with alcohol and cash being stolen after entry was forced.
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 7 for June (5 May) - Two sets of number plates were stolen from vehicles. Cash, wallets and phones were stolen from unlocked vehicles in car parks and residential streets and driveways.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for June (1 May) - All three vehicles stolen have been recovered with one burnt out.
THEFT (OTHER) - 14 for June (16 May) - One offender charged. Petrol drive offs featured highly in the theft category. Three were committed at Gunns Gully and two at Caltex in Kirk St. Other property stolen includes cash, a chainsaw, rubbish bin, water blaster and two letterboxes.
ISSUES RAISED JULY – Nil
TRARALGON MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES - Motorcycle in Wirilda Cres causing issues - passed to Highway Patrol. Bicycles being ridden without lights/helmets - this is an education issue. Replacement of old/faded NHW signs - requested reports from each area on locations to be sent to Brett. NHW/SCG Booth at farmers market later in the year - to be followed up by areas and to be confirmed.
CRIME REPORT
ASSAULT - 24 for June (16 May) -Police have charged seventeen offenders with various assault offences. Nine of the incidents were as a result of family violence incidents. The majority of assaults in public places within the Latrobe Police Service Area have occurred within the Traralgon Response Zone. The main areas of concern are Franklin Street (5) and Hotham Street.
ARSON - 2 for June (3 May) - Bins at the rear of a premises in Kay St were deliberately set alight with a recovered stolen vehicle being burnt out in Whitelaws Trk.
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 33 for June (24 May) - Six offenders charged. Over the past twelve months (June 2010 to June 2011) there have been 339 reported property damage incidents. Streets that have had ten or more incidents are Franklin St, Princes Hwy and Breed St. Over the last month property damage has occurred in Stuart St (3) and Wattle Crt (2).
BURGLARY - 10 for June (10 May) - One offender charged. Nearly all burglaries were committed on residential properties with garages being the main targets. Property stolen includes machinery, cash, alcohol and tools.
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 33 for June (20 May) - One offender charged. All bar one of the thefts occurred in residential streets or driveways with the majority being unlocked. In two instances keys were left in the ignition. Crosses Rd and Douglas St had two thefts each.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for June (9 May) - One offender charged and two vehicles have not yet been recovered.
THEFT - 16 for June (15 May) - There were nine thefts in Seymour St with four in Franklin St. On 8th June one offender was charged with 32 counts of theft from shops. The offences occurred over an extended period. Only two of the remaining shopsteal offences remain unsolved. Petrol theft is also on the rise with the United Service Station falling victim on one occasion. Diesel was also stolen from a tractor in Princes Hwy, Traralgon.
ISSUES RAISED JULY - Sergeant Sharon Matheson attended this meeting on behalf of Brett. No issues passed on.
YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT
PREVIOUS ISSUES - Update on hoons laws - Currently the legislation is being updated. Offences will remain the same however the penalties will be altered. Brochure provided.
CRIME REPORT - ASSAULT - Nil for June (Nil May)
ARSON - Nil for June (Nil May)
PROPERTY DAMAGE - 1 for June (Nil May) - A wooden bench seat and some shrubs at the skate park were damaged.
BURGLARY - Nil for June (Nil May)
THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 1 for June (Nil May) - The victim arrived home to find a jerry can beside her vehicle parked in the street. It appears the offender/s was disturbed whilst attempting to steal fuel from the vehicle.
THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for June (Nil May)
THEFT (OTHER) - 1 for June (1 May)The offenders have removed fence palings from the rear of a property in Reserve St. Through the hole created they have then removed four wheels.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au
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