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Community Safety The Focus Of Our Local LawsThe summer holiday period is the busiest time of the year for Council’s Local Laws team. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 16th January 2007 - Back to News Along with Police and emergency services, Local Laws officers work to ensure that the holiday period runs as smoothly as possible for residents and visitors alike.
Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Richard Perry said that the low level of incidents over the Christmas and New Year period this year was particularly pleasing.
"The hard work and dedication of the Local Laws team is the reason there have been so few incidents surrounding events and celebrations in recent weeks," said Mr Perry.
"Not only do Local Laws officers put in an incredible amount of hours on the ground, their forward planning for this busy period is considerable."
Mr Perry confirmed that in the nine day period from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day, the Local Laws officers had put in over 250 extra hours.
"The holiday period means officers are rostered on day and night," said Mr Perry.
"Many of them spent long hours working in areas such as Cowes, particularly during New Year’s Eve celebrations."
"Our officers are involved in traffic management and are also a visible presence in areas such as the Jetty Triangle, during peak periods," continued Mr Perry.
"They really do play a vital role in keeping the community safe."
Inspector Ron Gardiner of Victoria Police concurred with this assessment.
"The Bass Coast Shire Local Laws Team has again provided valuable assistance to local police through the holiday period," said Inspector Gardiner.
"Their assistance in traffic control and enforcement assistance in public areas has been willingly offered and in many cases has allowed police to more effectively use a limited resource during a traditionally busy time.
"The mutual assistance between our two organisations enhances community safety and well being," Inspector Gardiner continued.
"I look forward to a continued positive relationship."
Local Laws Team Leader, Kaye Hall said her team had undertaken a wide range of duties these past few months.
"We’ve had a summer safety program in place since November, which started with the Schoolies week," said Ms Hall.
"This includes traffic management around peak times and events.
"It also includes manning the Local Laws caravan, which acts as an information point, drop in centre and safe haven for younger people.
"We have regular patrols to monitor alcohol and illegal camping, particularly on our beaches and other identified hot spots."
"There’s no such thing as a typical day for our officers," said Ms Hall.
"We deal with calls to pick up animals, crowd monitoring, dogs locked in cars, people drinking on the street.
"On New Year’s Eve we had a small child left in a car in the early hours of the morning and we contacted the Police to help us locate the parents."
Ms Hall said Council’s Local Laws team, the Police and other agencies would continue to be very visible over the holiday period.
"Our approach has always been to manage the visitors we get and to focus on keeping everyone as safe and happy as possible.
"We don’t differentiate between a visitor and a resident," continued Ms Hall.
"If you are in the Bass Coast Shire you are under our community safety program and we want to ensure you are taken care of."
Christmas/New Year period statistics:
- 98 after hours call outs. 56 were on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day and most of these were for pick up of animals.
- 120 people warned for drinking in public places.
- 148 infringement notices issued.
- Traffic management duties at fatal accident in Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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