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Latrobe Crime Watch News Letter Latrobe Police Service Area April 2014

Coming Events, Hot Spots Trailer Thefts Theft from cars, March NHW Communities Group Reports, Smoking Banned at Children's Play Areas, Pedestrian Safety Around Schools.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 15th April 2014 - Back to News

Latrobe Crime Watch News Latrobe Police Service Area Neighbourhood Watch Creating Safer Communities

April 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 6TH May - Moe/Newborough Town Meeting - Moe RSL – Albert Street, Moe – 7pm

Tuesday 7th May - Traralgon Town Meeting - Traralgon Police Station, Kay St, Traralgon – 7pm

Wednesday 8th May - Morwell Town Meeting – Morwell RSL – Elgin Street, Morwell – 7pm

Wednesday 11th June - Yallourn North Town Meeting - Monash Hall Reserve St, Yallourn North –7 pm

HOT SPOT- POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP

TRAILER THEFTS ESCALATE ACROSS THE DIVISION

Police across our Eastern Region Division 5, which covers the four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Latrobe City and Bass Coast, Baw Baw and South Gippsland Shires, are concerned with the escalation of the theft of trailers during the last six months. During this period a total of 30 trailers were stolen across the division, with 13 occurring in the Bass Coast Service Area (PSA), 10 in Latrobe and 7 in Baw Baw.

Police are particularly concerned nearly 50% of the offences occurred in the Bass Coast Police PSA, which covers the LGA's of Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires, although most of the thefts occurred in seaside areas.

Of the seven thefts in the Baw Baw PSA four occurred in the Drouin Police Response Area whilst in Latrobe three were stolen from Traralgon and the other seven were spread evenly across the other towns, both large and small.

Whilst recognising an increase in offences in the Bass Coast PSA occurred over the January – February holiday period when visitor numbers rise may have created the spike for the area, this only emphasises the need for the community, particularly our tradesmen, to be more security conscious.

Local Area Commander for the Bass Coast PSA, Inspector Graeme Sprague said, "The theft of trailers across the whole Division is an increasing problem and we are finding that the vast majority have been unsecured and easily accessible. Please make every effort to help police by securing your trailers and being vigilant in your communities. If you see any suspicious activity please report it to police or via Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000."

Inspector Sprague continued, "We intend to task to this issue and I ask that if you happen to be intercepted and questioned by police while towing a trailer that you understand that the aim is to reduce the number of trailers being stolen. Together we can make a difference"

Police are urging trailer owners to take trailer security seriously, particularly tradesmen.

More than half the trailer thefts occurred in the driveways, front yards or vacant blocks next to homes

Theft of trailers are occurring on any day of the week, but more regularly under the cover of darkness.

Primarily, the trailers stolen were either left unsecured and unattended or else a simple chain and padlock were used to secure the trailer to a tree or fence post and padlock and chain were easily cut and the trailers stolen. Police recommend garaging of trailers or securing them in back yards.

Police urge trailer owners to consider registering their trailer on the Crimestoppers supported Trailer Registry. Crime Stoppers in partnership with satellite tracking company Vipertrak, has created the online register which you can find at trailerregistry.com.au

This is a free website where members of the public can post, review and report information about their trailers. If a trailer is stolen, the listing can be updated and the information will be available to the general public. Once you have registered your trailer you will be sent a sticker which you can then attach to your trailer.

The registry’s website provides hints on how to protect your trailer through placing secret marks on it, taking photographs, registering it and installing a tracker (See Crime Prevention Tip on page four of this newsletter). It also gives the buyers of second hand trailers a way to check and see if the trailer has been stolen before going ahead with a potentially illegal purchase.

Police are now actively seeking the public's assistance in identifying offenders responsible for the thefts.

Police urge anyone who has information as to the identity of offenders who are stealing or re-birthing trailers to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000, or at Crimestoppers on-line reporting at https://vic.crimestoppers.com.au/help-solve-crime/report-crime-information-here

HOT SPOT- POLICE NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP

THEFT FROM MOTOR CARS – THE POLICE'S CURSE

Police across Division 5 continue to be exasperated with owner apathy towards motor vehicle security, particularly as it relates to theft from motor vehicles. Despite continued appeals from the police for owners to lock their cars, this simple security advice goes ignored. Unlocked cars make stealing a cakewalk for thieves as they do not have to carry incriminating implements to achieve their aims. They simply have to open a door.

To highlight this problem, police compiled a one month snapshot of the offence of Theft from Motor Cars across the division from 26th February to 26th March.

In the Bass Coast Police Service Area (PSA), which covers Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires,

there were 27 reported offences. Of these only two vehicles were confirmed locked, 16 or 59%

were unlocked, four showed no sign of forced entry. Four had number plates stolen and one had an

unsecured surfboard taken from the roof. In the Baw Baw PSA there were 11 reported offences with one car confirmed locked, two confirmed unlocked (18%) and two showed no sign of forced entry. Four had number plates stolen and one had a light stolen from the roof.

In the Latrobe PSA there were 58 reported offences with 11 cars confirmed locked, 35 or 60 % of cars confirmed unlocked but only one showed no sign of forced entry. However, 11 vehicles had items stolen which did not require the car to be physically entered and these items included petrol, number plates, tools in ute, wheels, aerials and exterior lights.

Police Community Liaison Officer Leading Senior Constable Brett Godden said, "The scary thing about this snap shot is that it only reflects the reported incidents of theft from motor cars."

LSC Godden stressed the figures do not take into account people who do not make reports because they are embarrassed because their own neglect contributed to their becoming a victim of crime. Others do not make reports because they consider the offence minor and do not wish to waste police time.

LSC Godden said, "We need people to report all thefts. If they are not reported then it makes it difficult for me to task units to patrol areas where the thefts are occurring."

He continued, "Lock your cars and secure your property when you leave your vehicle. If you do become a victim then report it. In police terms, if it is not reported then it did not happen. This message is simple. It is not a hard thing to do."

Police urge anyone who has information as to the identity of offenders who are breaking into cars or stealing from them to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000, or at Crimestoppers on-line reporting at https://vic.crimestoppers.com.au/help-solve-crime/report-crime-information-here

MARCH NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH/SAFER COMMUNITIES GROUP REPORTS

BOOLARRA/YINNAR DISTRICT CRIME REPORT

ASSAULTS - 1 for March (2 February) - One offender charged with recklessly cause injury.

ARSON - Nil for March (1 February) PROPERTY DAMAGE - Nil for March (1 February)

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for March (Nil February) - On 27th March unknown offenders stole a set of keys from a vehicle on a rural property in McIntosh’s Rd, Boolarra.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for March (Nil February) - At the time of publication both vehicles are still outstanding: 1AD7WM a 2013 Nissan Ute white in colour stolen 06/03/14 from Warfe Way, Yinnar and

REV174 a 1998 Toyota RAV4 silver in colour stolen 26/03/14 from Tarwin St, Boolarra.

THEFT - Nil for March (1 February)

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

ASSAULTS - 10 for March (5 February) - In all incidents an offender or offenders was charged with assault related offences with one facing three counts from separate incidents whilst another is facing six counts from four separate incidents.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 13 for March (9 February) - Ten offenders charged whilst two young males were cautioned after an incident. Overnight 9th March unknown offenders pulled plants from a garden in Manning Dr whilst a rear sliding glass door in Bookoola Place was smashed on 19th March.

BURGLARY - 5 for March (4 February) - Three of the burglaries were committed on rural sheds which were either unlocked or allowed easy access. In Hazelwood Estate Rd a chainsaw was stolen whilst power tools were stolen from Coxall Rd, Jeeralang Junction between 16th and 23rd March.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 6 for March (5 February) - All the thefts were committed in residential streets or driveways and in all incidents the vehicle was unlocked. Police are following up a series of thefts which occurred overnight 13th March in Canterbury Way, Mc Donald Way, Eli Crt, McLean Ave (2) and Bond Crt.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 1 for March (Nil February) - One offender charged with theft of motor vehicle with an offender charged in relation to the theft.

THEFT - 2 for March (1 February) - One offender charged. Overnight 28th March unknown offenders stole a pressure cleaner from the rear yard of a residence in Coolabah Dr.

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

ROBBERY - 1 for March (Nil February) - Police are investigating an incident in Parer Ave on 25th March.

ASSAULT - 36 for March (32 February) – Twenty-eight offenders charged with a number facing multiple counts. Police are also following up three identified suspects in relation to other incidents. Police are investigating an affray which occurred in Elizabeth St on 29th March involving six people.

ARSON - Nil for March (4 February)

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 33 for March (26 February) - Twelve offenders charged. Ten of the damages relate to windows on shops, residences or vehicles at residences being smashed by a variety of means. In all cases it appears that no attempt to enter the vehicle, house or shop was made.

BURGLARY - 16 for March (7 February) - One offender charged. Overnight 15th March unknown offenders rammed the front window of a motorcycle shop in Della Torre Rd with a vehicle before stealing two motorcycles. Between 3rd and 8th March three units in Central Ave were broken into with damage caused to all three.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 10 for March (7 February) - Overnight 11th March one vehicle was entered in Bliss St whilst four others had attempts to steal items from them. Five of the thefts occurred in residential driveways with all unlocked.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 2 for March (Nil February) - The theft of motor vehicles occurred at the previously mentioned burglary in Della Torre Rd. The two motorcycles which are still outstanding are a Suzuki RMZ250cc yellow in colour and a Suzuki DRZ400 black in colour. Both are unregistered.

THEFT (OTHER) - 12 for March (12 February) - Two offenders charged whilst police are following up three identified suspects in relation to other incidents. Between 10th and 14th March two rims were stolen from the back yard of a residence in Hennessey St whilst overnight 23rd March a garden statue of two doves was stolen from May St.

MORWELL POLICE SERVICE AREA MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 28 for March (34 February) – Twenty-one offenders charged. Police are following up identified suspects in relation to a number of other incidents.

ARSON - 1 for March (1 February) - One offender charged with arson during March.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 32 for March (29 February) - Fourteen offenders charged whilst police are following up identified suspects in relation to two incidents in Cynthia St and Hyland St. Signage, bins, a ticket box and the walls of club rooms at Morwell Falcons were graffitied overnight 21st March.

BURGLARY - 19 for March (12 February) - Two offenders charged with one facing two counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary. Burglaries were spread between residential and the industrial area of Morwell. A laptop was stolen after offenders entered a residence in Sydney St through an unlocked door on 1st March.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR - 18 for March (6 February) - As with previous months a number of the thefts were committed on vehicles which were left unlocked in driveways, on front lawns or outside addresses. Thirteen of the thefts were committed in a three day period between 15th and 17th March with coins the most common item stolen. In one case over $100 in coins was stolen.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 3 for March (5 February) - One offender charged with two of the vehicles recovered. At the time of publication the only outstanding vehicle is SHW475 a 1972 Holden ute white in colour stolen 19/03/14 from Rachel Way.

THEFT - 17 for March (15 February) - The offender charged with two counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary has also been charged with two counts of theft whilst two others have been charged with theft. Three offenders were charged with theft of power (electricity) as a result of a drug warrant being executed at a residential address.

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

ROBBERY - Nil for March (2 February)

ASSAULT - 33 for March (32 February) – Twenty-four offenders charged. In the eight incidents where an offender has not been charged an identified suspect is being followed up by police.

ARSON - 1 for March (1 February) - One offender charged with criminal damage by arson during March.

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 30 for March (30 February) - Twelve offenders charged. A number of the damages related to vehicles being damaged by various means either in car parks (supermarket or railway station) or residential driveways. The damage ranged from scratches in panels to vehicles having been kicked or walked over.

BURGLARY - 9 for March (7 February) - Overnight 6th March unknown offenders forced entry to a service station in Shakespeare St stealing cigarettes whilst overnight 11th March the Glengarry Football Club social rooms were broken into with confectionary and drinks stolen. The tennis club and netball club were also broken into overnight 21st March.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE - 6 for March (9 February) - One offender charged. All the thefts were committed in residential driveways or streets with four being unlocked at the time they were entered. Spotlights, a chainsaw and camping swag were stolen from a vehicle in Bendock Crt overnight 15th March.

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE - 6 for March (6 February) - Four offenders charged whilst four of the vehicles have been recovered. At the time of publication the outstanding vehicles are: SXV186 – a 2004 Mitsubishi Station wagon black in colour stolen 06/03/14 from Liddiard Rd. YOK179 – a 1990 Nissan Station wagon blue in colour stolen 10/03/14 from Charles St.

THEFT - 15 for March (10 February) - Five offenders charged. A phone was stolen from the counter of a seafood shop in Stocklands on 17th March. A photo of a male police wish to speak to is on the Eyewatch Latrobe Facebook page. Wooden pallets were taken from the rear of BCF and Office Works overnight 10th March.

YALLOURN NORTH MEETING and CRIME REPORT

ASSAULT - 2 for March (1 February) - In both incidents an offender was charged.

ARSON - Nil for March (1 February)

PROPERTY DAMAGE - 4 for March (1 February) - One of the offenders charged with assault was also charged with criminal damage. Two other offenders were also charged with criminal damage. Overnight 2nd March unknown offenders damaged a vehicle in the driveway of a residence in High Rd.

BURGLARY - 2 for March (1 February) - Overnight 2nd March unknown offenders broke a window to enter a residence in Boundary Rd whilst on 10th March the Yallourn North Football Club was broken into with cash stolen.

THEFT FROM MOTOR CAR -3 for March (Nil February) - All three thefts occurred in residential streets or driveways with cash and a GPS stolen in Third St overnight 2nd March. A LED light bar was stolen from a vehicle in North Rd overnight 15th March whilst a camera was stolen from an unlocked vehicle in Anderson Ave overnight 26th March.

THEFT (OTHER) - 2 for March (Nil February) - Overnight 14th March a 6 x 4 trailer was stolen from the front lawn of a residence in North Rd whilst an outboard motor and fuel tanks were stolen from a boat on a trailer in the driveway of another residence in North Rd between 21st and 25th March.

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

SMOKING BANNED AT CHILDREN'S PLAY AREAS

From 1 April, under the Tobacco Act 1987 smoking is prohibited within 10 metres of outdoor public children’s playground equipment, skate parks and sporting venues during organised underage sporting events, as well as in the outdoor areas of public swimming pools.

Some councils may have local laws in place that ban smoking in certain outdoor areas.

Where councils have a local law in place that bans smoking at an area that is covered by the state-wide ban, the local law will become inoperative to the extent it is inconsistent with the state-wide ban.

This means if councils have local laws prohibiting smoking in areas that are not covered by the state-wide bans, or if a local law goes further than the state-wide ban, they still will be applicable in areas and times not covered by the state-wide bans. Local council inspectors can still educate the public and take enforcement action under these local laws where the state-wide bans don't apply.

Under this law, an 'organised underage sporting event':

•is planned in advance

•is organised or intended for, or predominantly participated in by, persons under the age of 18 years

•is conducted according to established rules by a professional or amateur sporting body or by an educational institution

•may be a one-off event or part of a series of events.

The smoking bans aim to:

•provide children and young people with a healthy, smoke-free environment in which to play

•limit exposure to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke)

•reduce the normalcy and social acceptability of smoking behaviours

•support smokers who are trying to quit and those trying to cut down.

Smoking will be banned:

•at or within 10 metres of children’s playground equipment that is an outdoor public place

•at or within 10 metres of a skate park that is an outdoor public place

•at or within 10 metres of a sporting venue that is an outdoor public place during an organised underage sporting event, including training or practice sessions and during breaks or intervals in play

•in an outdoor area of a swimming pool complex that is a public place.

This information comes direct from the Department of Health's Tobacco Reforms - Smoke-free Children's Recreational Areas website at http://www.health.vic.gov.au/tobaccoreforms/smoke-free-children-rec-areas/index.htm?utm_campaign=smoke-free-children-playarea&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social-posting Visit the site to have more of your questions will be answered.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AROUND SCHOOLS

The law is clear when it comes to school crossings. Drivers must be aware that the school crossing supervisor is also a pedestrian. Drivers may not enter the school crossing until the school crossing supervisor is completely off the road.

When approaching or stopping at a children’s crossing a driver must;

Approach at a speed at which the driver can, if necessary, stop safely before the crossing.

Stop as near as practicable to, but before reaching, the stop line at the crossing if -

(a) a hand-held stop sign is displayed at the crossing; or

(b) a pedestrian is on or entering the crossing.

not proceed until there is no pedestrian on or entering the crossing and the holder of the sign –

(a) no longer displays the sign towards the driver; or

(b) otherwise indicates that the driver may proceed; and

not proceed until there is no pedestrian on or entering the crossing."

Safety tips for drivers when approaching a school crossing;

• Do not stop on a school crossing when the flags are displayed, watch the flow of traffic in front of you;
• Do not stop within 20 metres on the approach side of a crossing;
• Do not stop within 10 metres on the departure side of a school crossing;
• You may use designated parking bays if appropriate signs are displayed;
• Always look for "no standing" or "no parking" signs applicable during school starting and exiting times;
• Do not stop within 10 metres of an intersection;
• Safety tips for drivers using a ‘Drop-off and Pick-up’ zone;
• You cannot park in a drop off zone, you must remain with your vehicle, or a parking ticket may be issued;
• Always drop-off or pick-up your child from the designated area;
• Drivers should remain in the vehicles at all times when using the ‘Drop-off and Pick-up’ area.
• Make sure children use the footpath-side door when getting in and out of a car.
• Make sure the hand brake is on, especially when children are boarding or alighting;
• Never double park.
• Never park across a pedestrian crossing.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS – TRAILER SECURITY

To lessen the chances of your trailer being stolen consider taking the following safety precautions;

• Register your trailer with Crimestoppers’ Trailer Registry at TrailerRegistry.com.au
• Park your trailer off the street and in a well-lit, secured area, preferably in a garage, at night.
• When parking your trailer avoid parking too close to walls, high fences or vegetation, which might provide cover for the thief.
• Photograph your trailer, including identifying features and store your photos for future reference.
• Install a vehicle tracker. Trackers are small, quick and easy to install. Tracking units can deter thieves if advertised.
• Consider marking or engraving your trailer with the letter ‘V’ for ‘Victoria’ and your driver’s licence number.

Add one or two easily identifiable markings in different places on your trailer such as:

1.  welding your initials under the draw bar.
2.  engraving your name somewhere.
3.  drill holes in a pattern recognisable by you.

If the marking is easily visible, make sure it is not easily removed and make multiple markings spread over the trailer.

If you hide your markings, do not tell anyone about them, keep the information to yourself.

Make sure you choose a marking that is easy to remember and relevant to only yourself. Unfortunately, some people have duplicated these markings exactly which makes it difficult for police to locate a trailer's owner when it is recovered. For example, consider using your nickname, the name of your dog, your date of birth etc.

Welding letters on the draw bar is the minimum measure you should take to ensure easy identification. When steel is welded its molecular structure is changed and is irreversible. If a thief grinds off your welded markings you can rub back the area and apply some battery acid which reacts with the steel revealing any welds that have been ground off.

• Drilled or perforated holes are an easy way to mark your trailer. It is also difficult to cover up.
• Pressed lettering into sheet metal is an excellent form of marking your trailer. It is very hard to remove without replacing pieces of the body.
• Welded Letters on checker plate surfaces are very hard to remove without having noticeable marks in the checker plate.

For further information visit Crimestoppers’ Trailer Registry at TrailerRegistry.com.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au