Parking a nonissue for security guards

By Alison Noonan
SECURITY guards at Casey’s major shopping centres will not join council officers in issuing parking tickets.
Centro Cranbourne shopping centre, Westfield Fountain Gate and Endeavour Hills shopping centre have each rejected City of Casey Council’s suggestion to authorise centre security guards to hand out parking infringement notices.
Councillors proposed the idea in June following numerous complaints from residents of shoppers illegally parking in disabled spaces, no standing zones and parking for long periods in shortterm spaces.
“I am in regular contact with Centro and that is where I got the idea from over 12 months ago,” Mayfield Ward councillor Kevin Bradford told last week’s council meeting.
“Parking in a disabled parking zone is one of the most disgraceful things someone can do, but unfortunately this is a big problem at Centro.”
Centre managers declined the offer, claiming they did not have the resources to allow their guards to undertake such a role.
A report presented to council stated that the centre managers of all three facilities said they would prefer their security guards to focus solely on security issues to ensure the protection and safety of shoppers was maintained.
“Guards are employed at the centre for the specific purpose of protecting property and providing a safe and comfortable environment for our customers and retailers,” the report said.
“There is no ability for our guards to be diverted away from their prime responsibilities to be enforcing parking restrictions.”
Despite the negative response, Cr Bradford said he did not believe it was a dead issue, requesting that councillors meet with the three centre managers for further discussions.
“I am still of the opinion that security guards are needed to help patrol these areas,” he said.
“We need to pursue this issue and I think councillors should have a say to the centre managers.”
Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates agreed, saying he was disappointed with the feedback.
“This seemed to be a commonsense approach to a common problem,” Cr Oates said.
“I find it very hard to believe they don’t have the resources because they supported council’s alcohol in public places policy.”
Casey manager community safety Brendan Fitzsimmons said council employed two officers who were dedicated to parking enforcement duties at the city’s major shopping precincts.
He said the officers conducted regular patrols of the areas and would continue to do so, with or without the help of centre security guards.
“Our officers focus on three types of parking infringements,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.
“Those parking in disabled spaces and no standing zones and dangerous driving practices around schools.
“Council does have the authority to issue parking tickets to drivers parked in private property car parks, providing the signage is correct.”
Centro Cranbourne and Westfield Fountain Gate declined to comment to the News.