Police presence reassuring

CASEY police involved with a pilot program focused on robbery prevention hope the initiative is given the green light to continue.
The Crime Prevention program, which focuses on homes and businesses and being trialled in Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong, is set to end next month.
Leading Senior Constable Brett Owen, a Crime Prevention officer based at Cranbourne, said the initiative had garnered great results and provided the community with reassurance.
“Where a burglary occurs, we have that one-on-one contact with the victim,” he explained.
“Seven days after the event we visit them and see how they’re going, because often being a victim of a burglary is somewhat distressing for some, they’ve been violated in their own personal space.
“We can make referrals for them if they’re struggling with that. We also provide advice in relation to their own home security, what measures they can put in place to improve security and try to prevent them becoming a victim again.”
Officers also touch base with victims again 30 days after a robbery.
Acting Sergeant Dave Smith is another member of the station’s pro-active unit working specifically with young offenders, helping them link with support services.
“It’s an issue for the whole organisation, youth crime, there’s no doubt,” he said.
“We know that young people make up about 20 per cent of the population but they account for about 50 per cent of the crime, that 12 to 25 age group.
“Casey has a high youth population and as a result we have those associated issues that we need to deal with.”
These support services include referrals to youth workers and drug and alcohol networks.
Acting Sgt Smith said young offenders needed to want to be helped but that he and his colleagues never turn their back on anyone, even if there were roadblocks along the way.
“We don’t give up. If we see the same name again, we’ll do the same thing, and keep doing it and keep encouraging them to take up the offer,” he said.