By BEN CAMERON
EMERALD’s police ranks have been bolstered with two more sergeants, but nobody told Gembrook MP Brad Battin.
Speaking in Parliament last Tuesday, Mr Battin said he had spoken with the Chief Commissioner and Minister for Police recently to advocate for more police at Emerald.
His comments came after he promised to raise the issue of staff numbers at the newly built Emerald Police Station in the Victorian Parliament in response to a vandal attack which trashed central Cockatoo last week.
“At this time there is no formal response from Mr Lay, however there is a new senior sergeant,” he said.
“I understand they are in the process of looking for two new sergeants.
“This would then have one senior sergeant, three sergeants and five other ranks.
“In the future I trust Emerald will require further growth in other ranks and I will continue to campaign for them.
“It will be a positive for the hills area to have more police officers available for not just reactive but also preventive measures.”
However Victoria Police’s media department said two new sergeants began work at the station several weeks ago.
“We had two new sergeants start at Emerald Police Station in recent weeks,” a spokesperson said.
“Sergeant Hower and Sergeant Calkin are both very experienced and have joined us from other areas within the eastern region.
“They’re excited about their new roles and are looking forward to working with the local community,” the spokesperson said.
The Pakenham Gazette reported on 23 July that the station could expect two more sergeants in coming weeks.
Mr Battin also called on the Minister for Crime Prevention to enforce crime prevention measures for graffiti vandals.
“Over the years the Cockatoo community has faced many challenges, including challenges at a social level and natural disasters,” he said.
“Residents in Cockatoo are sick of graffiti in the town they are proud to call home.
“As a member of the government that has the only crime prevention minister in Australia, I call on us to act.
“The community has approached me to ask for help and I would like to work with the minister’s office to find positive outcomes in the area of crime prevention.”
Central Ward councillor Jodie Owen applauded Mr Battin’s stance.
“I would, however, hope that Parliament is aware of the tagging problems which the entire shire of Cardinia are currently facing,” she said.
“It would be very welcome for the government to assist Pakenham township, growth corridor and other areas which are tagged on a nearly weekly basis.
“Cardinia Shire is testing a pro-active Australian-made anti-graffiti coating.
“If the test is successful, we would welcome the government being open to looking at assisting in rolling this product application out to other ‘hot’ spots for graffiti in Cardinia.
“It is my opinion that by being pro-active we can save ratepayers’ and taxpayers’ money, whereby if we simply continue to be reactive, we will continue chasing our tails.
“The test locations are in Pakenham and Cockatoo as this is where the majority of money cleaning graffiti is being spent.”
