By Georgia Westgarth
THE City of Casey will write several letters to the Federal Government and police authorities in a bid to combat the escalating crime rate in the south-east, and calling for a joint policing taskforce to combat violent street gangs.
Councillors were joined by Casey residents who have been victims of the crime surge on Thursday 1 September for a special council meeting.
The outcome of the meeting will see the council again write to the Police Minister and the Chief Commissioner of Police requesting that serious consideration be given to increasing police resources in Casey, including the establishment of a new police station in Clyde.
The council resolved to note their disappointment at the closure of any police station for a period of time, in the same letter, after changes were made to the opening hours at Endeavour Hills Police Station in a trial.
The council will write to the Federal Immigration Minister to request that consideration be given to new laws where dual citizens are deported if they commit any crime of violence, in a gang arrangement, that lands them with a jail sentence.
A letter will also be sent to the Federal and State Attorneys-General to request that consideration be given to establishing a joint policing taskforce to combat violent street gangs.
City of Casey mayor Sam Aziz pointed to the fact that previous letters from the council delivered no outcome.
“The escalating crime rate and recent proliferation of burglaries and home invasions in Casey and across the south-east has sparked some angst and concern in our city,” Cr Aziz said.
“The council has previously written to both the Minister for Police and the Chief Commissioner of Police regarding the need to increase police numbers in Casey to address the growing crime rate, with no satisfactory outcome for the Casey community as of yet.
“Council was also extremely disappointed to hear of the closure of Endeavour Hills Police Station at evenings on weekends.”
Cr Aziz said police resources were a must for Casey.
“Casey needs a larger police presence to protect its residents, not less … to service our growing population.”
The meeting also resolved to write to Premier Daniel Andrews to congratulate his government on strengthening the Crimes Act 1958.
