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

Coming Events, Hot Spot, operation Safe Plate, NHW Safer Communities Group Reports,

By Malcolm Lawrence - 25th June 2014 - Back to News

Latrobe Crime Watch News

Latrobe Police Service Area

Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

June 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

Tuesday 1st July - Traralgon Town Meeting –Traralgon RSL Boardroom, Grey St, Traralgon – 7pm Wednesday 2nd July - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm

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

Tuesday 8th July - Yallourn North Action Group (NHW report given) - Monash Hall - Yallourn North –7 pm

Saturday 12th July – Morwell Operation Safe Plate – Bunnings Car Park Mid Valley – 9.30am – 2.30pm

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

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

HOT SPOT – POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP

DAMAGE SPREE ACROSS MORWELL AND TRARALGON 13-14 JUNE

Commencing late on Friday 13th of June and overnight into the early hours of Saturday 14th of June, vandals went on the rampage across the towns of Morwell and Traralgon targeting at least 51 motor vehicles parked in residential driveways and on the streets and also a number of homes.

The unknown offenders smashed windows on cars, caravans and homes and in one incident a car in Tarwin Street, Morwell was tagged with graffiti and a car in High Street, Traralgon had its tyres slashed. The graffiti and tyre slashing may be unrelated to offences involving windows.

Judging by the times the offences were reported to police, it appears Morwell was targeted first with most of its 23 reported offences appearing to have been committed between 9 p.m. and midnight on Friday 13th June.

It then appears the offenders have travelled to Traralgon and have started damaging vehicles there sometime after midnight, with most being discovered when owners have woken up on Saturday morning. From the earliest reports taken it appears windows in Traralgon were still being smashed at around 3 a.m.

Police wish to hear from any victims who have yet to report offences, stressing the reporting of incidents will assist in the tracking of the offenders' movements and possibly lead to their apprehension.

Offences can be report via 000 or ringing Morwell Police Station on

5151 5000 or Traralgon Police Station on

5174 0900.

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

MORWELL NHW OPERATION SAFE PLATE

SATURDAY 12TH JULY AT BUNNINGS MORWELL

All our readers are well aware that number plate theft is nearly always represented in the Theft from Motor Car section of the crime reports that we publish on this newsletter. Latrobe Valley Police have reported a number of theft of number plates during May.

Car owners often do not know their number plates have been stolen until police come knocking on their door to inform them the number plates have been used in an armed robbery, burglary or a petrol drive-off from a service station. Sometimes owners do not know until they receive a fine from City Link or East Link.

Operation Safeplate involves replacing standard numberplate screws with Safeplate or theft proof "one-way" screws. The screws can be fitted to nearly all vehicles and are easily installed using a standard flat bladed screwdriver. However, they can only be removed using a specially designed security screwdriver kept at most Victoria Police Stations and at VicRoads’ offices.

For a donation of $5 Morwell Neighbourhood Watch and 1st Churchill Kilakari Pinpuna Rovers will fit anti-theft safety screws to your number plates whilst you wait.

When number plates are stolen the inconvenience to the owner is great and the owner has to:

report the theft to police;

visit VicRoads to arrange replacements at the owner’s cost;

notify his/her insurance company and auto club;

notify toll companies such as City Link and East Link.

carry the receipt for the replacement plates in the car to prove to police replacements have been ordered if the owner is intercepted when driving;

All proceeds from this Operation Safe Plate event will be donated to the 1st Churchill Kilakari Pinpuna Rovers (scouts) who will be mobilising to assist us on the day.

Scouting Victoria recently condemned the Rover's Churchill den and a new one has been built. However, costs have exceeded expectations and the Rover's financial commitment towards the building has increased significantly. Money raised from the Operation Safeplate will be used to offset that cost.

Morwell NHW/SCG would like to thank Bunnings Morwell for the use of its car park on the day.

MAY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT

The only offence reported in the Boolarra PSA during May after one property damage, four thefts from motor car and one theft (other) during April was the theft of a water pump. Police identified and charged the offender for that offence after a post went viral on the Eyewatch Latrobe Police Service Area Facebook page generated nearly 400 shares.

You can find the Eyewatch page at https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchlatrobepsa?fref=ts

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

ASSAULTS - 9 for May (8 for April) - In all except one incident an offender was charged. In the one incident where no one has been charged an identified suspect is being followed up by police.

ARSON - Nil for May (Nil for April)

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 8 for May (11 for April) - Two offenders charged. Overnight 3rd May two vehicles in Ikara Way were damaged when a wheelie bin was thrown through a windscreen and panel damage was done to another.

BURGLARY - 2 for May (2 for April) - One offender charged whilst police are investigating a burglary on a residential garage in Shaw St that occurred between 1st and 19th May. An oven and camping equipment were stolen.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for May (6 for April)

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - Nil for May (1 for April)

THEFT - 4 for May (4 for April) - One offender charged. Between 23rd and 28th May a garage access door was stolen from a house under construction in Glendonald Rd whilst police are investigating the theft of fuel from a service station in Georgina Pl on 16th May.

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

ROBBERY - Nil for May (Nil for April)

ASSAULT - 23 for May (13 for April) - In all except two incidents an offender was charged. An identified suspect is being followed up by police for the offence of harassing a witness after postings on Facebook. An offender is also being sought after a pursuit in Lloyd St on 10th May.

ARSON - Nil for May (1 for April)

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 22 for May (17 for April) - Seventeen offenders charged. Police are investigating damage at the railway station in which a male smashed a window with a skate board on 9th May. A business premises Rutherglen Rd had a glass door smashed overnight 12th May.

BURGLARY - 4 for May (4 for April) - One offender charged. A white Ford Bronco was stolen from a shed in Outlook Dr, Hearns Oak on 15th May. Between 9th and 24th May a rear door to a vacant residence in Monash Rd was kicked in. There was no property in the residence.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 4 for May (7 for April) - One offender charged whilst another offender has been charged with handle stolen goods. Two registration number plates were stolen from vehicles in residential driveways in Eden St, Moe (19/05/14) and Third St, Yallourn North (12/05/14.)

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for May (1 for April) - One offender charged whilst another offender has been charged with attempted theft of an ambulance. At the time of publication the outstanding vehicles are:

YHX497 a 1982 Ford station wagon white in colour stolen 15/05/14 from Outlook Way, Hearne Oak and

RYK128 a 1994 Nissan station wagon grey in colour stolen 15/05 from Wirraway St, Moe

THEFT (OTHER) - 11 for May (12 for April) - Three offenders charged whilst police are following up three identified suspects in relation to three other incidents. Five rose bushes were stolen from a residential garden in Hawker St overnight 11th May whilst a golf bag was stolen from a rear yard in Margaret St overnight 14th May.

ISSUES RAISED AT MAY MEETING: Graffiti on VicRoads signs and around Newborough including the old hospital; Traffic offences were the main issue of the meeting with hot spots being identified as Speeding in Southwell Avenue, Newborough; Speeding in Torres St in Newborough; Moving the Albert Street School Crossing (referred to Latrobe City); Confusion over the Moore Street Shared Zone (already being investigated by the Mayor after complaints from Neighbourhood Watch); Hoon driving along Boormans Rd and areas close by including Wirraway Street and Coalville Rd; Speeding in Boolarra Avenue Newborough East and Hooning on Monash Road between the roundabout & TAFE - especially during TAFE lunch hour. These traffic issues have all been referred to the Latrobe Highway Patrol for tasking.

MORWELL POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ROBBERY - 3 for May (1 for April) - One offender charged with armed robbery with another charged with attempted robbery during May. Police are investigating two other robberies which occurred in Princes Dr on 1st May and in Burnside Dr on 28th May.

ASSAULT - 21 for May (35 for April) - Nineteen offenders charged with police following up two identified suspects in relation to two separate incidents.

ARSON - 4 for May (1 for April) - One offender charged with an arson offence whilst police are investigating three suspicious fires which all occurred overnight 16th May. A car was damaged by fire in Jill St, three wheelie bins were damaged at the Commercial Rd Primary School and a letterbox was damaged in Buna St.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 26 for May (17 for April) - Ten offenders charged. Nine of the damages were committed on vehicles in residential streets or car parks with windows being smashed the main damage. It appears that whilst the windows were smashed no attempt to enter the vehicles was made.

BURGLARY - 14 for May (21 for April) - Two offenders charged whilst police are following up identified suspects in relation to two incidents. Between 15th and 20th May a rear door was forced on a residence in Bruton St with cash, clothing, a CD player and food stolen.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 7 for May (17 for April) - One offender charged. Unlocked vehicles are still being targeted by opportunistic thieves with laptops, cash, iPods and GPS units stolen. A cargo pod and two roof racks were stolen from a vehicle in Latrobe Rd on 22nd May and this is pictured on the Eyewatch – Latrobe Police Service Area Facebook page.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 5 for May (4 for April) - Three offenders charged with theft of motor vehicle during May with one also facing a count of attempted theft of motor vehicle. All five vehicles have been located.

THEFT - 17 for May (12 for April) - Five offenders charged. On 10th May a handbag was left in a trolley for fifteen minutes which resulted in the victim’s purse being stolen. Overnight 18th May a set of wheels/tyres was stolen from a vehicle parked in Dunbar Ave. A photo of the rims is on Eyewatch Latrobe Police Service Area Facebook page.

ISSUES RAISED AT MAY 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 - Nil for May (Nil for April)

ASSAULT - 24 for May (30 for April) – Twenty-one offenders charged. Police are following up two identified suspects in relation to other incidents. Investigations are continuing into incidents in Franklin St and Brown St overnight 2nd May.

ARSON - 2 for May (1 for April) - On 23rd May a vehicle was set alight in a residential driveway in Stockdale Rd whilst a stolen vehicle was recovered burnt out in Traralgon Creek Rd, Traralgon South on 28th May.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 33 for May (23 for April) - Ten offenders charged. Some of these are offenders were also charged with assault related offences. A number of the incidents relate to damage to vehicles in residential driveways with windows or lights being smashed or panel damage.

BURGLARY - 18 for May (9 for April) - Three offenders charged with one facing two counts from separate burglaries. Police are following up an identified suspect in relation to a burglary in Cross Rd. Between 1st and 12th May a chainsaw, LED lights, auto sprays were stolen from a shed in Canfield Cres.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 12 for May (16 for April) - One offender charged whilst police are also following up an identified suspect in relation to an incident in Cross Rd. Overnight 30th May a laptop, iPod, GPS and wallet were stolen from a vehicle in a residential driveway after a window was smashed.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 4 for May (Nil for April) - One offender charged whilst police are following up a suspect in relation to another incident. All four vehicles stolen during May were located.

THEFT - 17 for May (16 for April) - Six offenders charged with one facing two counts from separate incidents. There were four incidents of theft by finding during May with two occurring at self-serve check outs at supermarkets when cash was left behind.

ISSUES RAISED AT MAY 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.

YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 1 for May (Nil for April) - One offender charged with unlawful assault during May.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 2 for May (2 for April) - The offender charged with assault was also been charged with criminal damage and another was charged with criminal damage from a separate incident.

BURGLARY - Nil for May (2 for April)

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 2 for May (Nil for April) - One offender, who was identified via the Eyewatch Latrobe Facebook page, was charged with theft from motor vehicle. A single number plate was stolen from a vehicle in a residential driveway in Third St overnight 12th May.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for May (Nil for April) - The offender mentioned in the theft from motor car category has also been charged with theft of a motor vehicle.

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

YALLOURN NORTH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH GOES INTO RECESS

Yallourn North Neighbourhood Watch has officially gone into recess after failing to attract new volunteers to help keep the program running.

After 24 years of service to the Yallourn North community, Area Manager Bill O'Donnell, who is also our Divisional Treasurer, was hoping to hand the reins over to a younger team which would embrace the modern NHW utilising social media and other technologies.

For 24 years Yallourn North NHW has been producing and delivering its town's newsletter, providing property identification and marking equipment, conducting kerbside house numbering days, spreading the crime prevention and community safety message and liaising with police on behalf of the community.

The Yallourn North Action Group has invited our Police Community Liaison Officer and Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden, to present the crime report at its monthly meetings. This means an individual town Crime Report will continue to be prepared for Yallourn North so the community will stay informed about what is going on through YNAG.

Although the town's residents will no longer be receiving its town specific newsletter, community members can subscribe electronically to the Latrobe Crime Watch News, which will continue to include the Yallourn North Crime Report and let the town know of any crime hot spots and community issues.

Yallourn North residents can subscribed to the Latrobe Crime Watch News by emailing the editor at erd5nhwnewsletter@wideband.net.au

The Yallourn North community can continue to follow Neighbourhood Watch locally and electronically on Facebook at Crime Watch Newsletters at https://www.facebook.com/latrobecrime.watch.3 as well as monitoring police news on the Eyewatch – Latrobe Police Service Area page at https://www.facebook.com/eyewatchlatrobepsa?fref=ts

The committee and members of Latrobe Neighbourhood Watch and Safer Community Groups would like to thank Yallourn North Neighbourhood Watchers for their years of service in making their community safe place in which to live.

"ICE" COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION FOR MOE

Moe Police and support organisations will be hosting an "ICE" Community Information Night on Monday 21st July, 2014, followed by a light supper.

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.

Guest speakers at the event will include Senior Gippsland Magistrate, Clive Alsop; Dr John O’Donoghue; members from the Victoria Police Clandestine Drug Lab Squad and community members who have been affected by this insidious drug and who will share their personal stories.

With the increased prevalence of ice-use in rural communities and the accompanying violent assaults associated with its use, this is a great opportunity for the community to become more informed about this serious issue impacting our community.

Although this is a free event you will need to book your place as police need accurate numbers for catering purposes.

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

TRARALGON POLICE CONSULATE

RUNNING SMOOTHLY AT THE MORWELL POLICE EMBASSY

Renovations at the Traralgon Police Station are proceeding as scheduled and local police are pleased with the smooth transition of police resources for the area. The renovations commenced on May 28 with the main Traralgon Police Station building closed to allow workman free rein to upgrade the facility.

Operational Traralgon members are working from the temporary accommodation located in the car park of the old building.

Traralgon members on non-operational duties are working out of the Morwell Police Complex and have been for almost three weeks. They will continue to do so whilst renovations continue on the Traralgon station.

Senior Sergeant Brendan Scully, Officer in Charge at Traralgon, wishes to reassure the Traralgon community it is business as usual for the town with the station open for counter enquiries and operating 24 hours a day from the temporary accommodation located in the car park.

"Rumours of our demise are simply not true," Senior Sergeant Scully said. "As soon as the renovations are completed we will be moving back in and the station will be far more comfortable for our 52 police members and 3 support staff."

The timing of the release of the Chief Commissioner's Blue Paper discussing the future of policing and the possible creation of 'super' police stations has caused some concern for Traralgon residents, with some believing the police station was actually closing.

"I can assure the Traralgon public this absolutely untrue," said Senior Sergeant Scully. "It is business as usual and as soon as we get the OK with an occupancy certificate we will be moving back in, probably sometime in November."

Currently Traralgon members are commencing and finishing their shifts at Traralgon but processing offenders from the Morwell Police Station. Divisional Van and other patrols are continuing as normal from Traralgon.

Senior Sergeant Scully added, "The Morwell members have made us very welcome and the station has been rearranged to accommodate us. We have been given our own muster room, which we affectionately call the 'Consulate' and we refer to Morwell as the 'Embassy'. "

Senior Sergeant Scully admits there have been some minor teething problems with the move. "We actually arrested a drunk from the entertainment venues who jumped the fence to gain entrance to our temporary accommodation thinking it was a portable toilet facility. He got quite a surprise when members walked in on him and made an arrest."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au

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• Martin Cameron urges Labor government to enforce tobacco licensing, protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threats
  Martin Cameron urges Allan Labor Government to increase tobacco inspector numbers, enforce licensing, and protect Latrobe Valley businesses from organised crime threatening local shops and operators.
• Martin Cameron demands action as data reveals dangerous one-star safety ratings on Latrobe Valley roads
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron has condemned the poor safety of Latrobe Valley roads, after state data revealed many key routes rated one or two stars, demanding urgent government action.
• Darren Chester welcomes $6.2M Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment with upgraded facilities for Latrobe Valley sports clubs
  Darren Chester welcomed the $6.2 million Traralgon Recreation Reserve redevelopment, providing modern changerooms and upgraded facilities through joint funding to support Latrobe Valley sports and long-term community participation.
• Martin Cameron says new emergency services tax replaces fire levy, adding enormous pressure to struggling small businesses
  Latrobe Valley small businesses face soaring costs as Labor's new Emergency Services Tax replaces the Fire Services Levy, with Nationals warning it punishes regional communities and fuels insolvencies amid financial mismanagement.
• Martin Cameron slams Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf and ignoring immediate Latrobe Valley job losses
  Morwell MP Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s delayed Loy Yang rehabilitation plan, calling it tone-deaf, failing to provide immediate jobs or industry support for the Latrobe Valley amid coal power closures.
• Martin Cameron slams Energy Minister D'Ambrosio's false claims on power prices and jobs in Latrobe Valley
  Nationals MP Martin Cameron condemned Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's claims of delivering for Latrobe Valley, citing soaring power prices, weak jobs growth, and neglect of residents during Victoria's energy transition.
• Sale’s burnt police station must be cleared and redeveloped after 11 years of government inaction, says Danny O’Brien
  Nationals MP Danny O’Brien urges Allan Labor Government to clear and redevelop Sale’s old police station site after 11 years of inaction, following its recent deliberate burning.
• Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's police station maintenance cuts despite backflip restoring partial funding for grounds upkeep
  Danny O'Brien has criticised Labor's partial backflip on police station maintenance cuts, saying Gippsland officers deserve safe, clean workplaces and stronger government support amid rising regional crime rates.
• Victoria’s crime crisis worsens as police numbers fall, offences rise, and station hours are reduced under Labor government
  Victoria’s crime crisis worsens under Labor with 368 fewer police, rising offences, unsolved cases, reduced station hours, and retail theft surging, prompting calls for proper resourcing and crime prevention.
• Victorian Agency for Health Information data shows ambulance services declining due to Labor's under‑resourcing, mismanagement and denial
  The latest data shows Victoria’s ambulance service declining, with fewer than 64% of Code 1 responses within 15 minutes, highlighting regional delays, under‑resourcing, and mismanagement under the Allan Labor government.
• Martin Cameron says Labor fails on crime, wasting millions on machete bins instead of protecting Gippsland
  Crime in Latrobe has surged under Labor, with Moe incidents up 26% and retail theft 65%. Nationals' Martin Cameron says only their Safer Communities Plan will restore safety.