By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A PLAN for Protective Service Officers (PSO) to be deployed to dozens of metropolitan stations is well behind schedule, with stations including Merinda Park station remaining unmanned for almost a year.
A document sent to the State Government from the Office of the Chief Commissioner October last year outlined police recommendations for PSO deployments.
The report recommended that PSOs be stationed at Merinda Park station from 6pm until the last train by January this year.
Shadow Police Minister Edward O’Donohue, who was made privy to the deployment recommendations for 212 metropolitan stations while in government, said commuters in the outer south-east deserve the same level of safety at patrolled stations.
“This service is invaluable in the outer growth areas as people are getting back later at night.
“There is strong evidence that PSOs improve commuter safety or perceptions of safety,” he said.
Berwick resident and public transport user Tom Jankovic, 42, said he gets the sense that women and vulnerable commuters feel unsafe on his line.
“I see the look on their faces,” he said.
Mr O’Donohue said the lack of PSOs in the area makes the current issue of low police numbers worse, citing the recent temporary closure of Pakenham police station due to resourcing issues.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin added: “We don’t know how many people are willing to use the train and clogging up the Monash Freeway because there are no PSOs at their station.”
A Victoria Police spokesperson said the Transit Safety Division is unaware of the PSO deployment schedule.
She said PSO deployment schedules are undefined, but will be completed by 30 June next year.
“Victoria Police communicates deployments when they are going to happen,” the spokesperson said.
“Merinda Park will be among the 212 metropolitan railway stations and four regional stations that will receive PSOs by 30 June 2016.”
A spokesperson for the Minister for Police Wade Noonan said the deployment plan was on track.
“The Andrews Labor Government has funded almost 700 additional police personnel in our first year of government – including an extra 109 PSOs and 62 transit police to keep the travelling public safe,” the spokesperson said.
PSOs will be stationed overnight at premium stations including Cranbourne under the government’s 24-hour Night Network Trail which is due to kick off next month.
Last year, PSO roles were scrutinised following reports that the majority of offences they dealt with related to minor offences such as smoking, littering, swearing and vandalism.
