Springvale businessman Albert Blashki with the City of Casey’s Ken Lee and Victoria Police Crime Prevention Unit Senior Constable Anthony Marks are all doing their best to establish an increased security presence in the Hallam Industrial Estate.
By Callan Date
A SPRINGVALE businessman is hoping to establish security patrols in the Hallam industrial area and put an end to the high level of crime.
Albert Blashki has been pushing for 24-hour security patrols and more video surveillance throughout the Hallam Industrial Estate for the past four years.
The Ace Wire Works director increased his push when he read about a Hallam concreting business that had almost $100,000 worth of machinery stolen from a Dallas Court factory last month.
Mr Blashki said he is working closely with Casey Council and other business owners to work out the best way to prevent the crime occurring.
“We are quite concerned about the area.
“We have tried to increase security patrols which would continuously patrol that area – 24 hours per day of a weekend and all night on weekdays,” Mr Blashki said.
He said his Abbott Road business been broken into twice over the past 12 months and he was aware of several other factories with similar problems.
“The verbal response from owners in the area has been alright but no one has committed financially.
“We have been meeting for about the last four years and we really need for businesses to think about putting some money up.”
Mr Blashki said about 20 people had attended a meeting held earlier this year and he was keen for more to come to a meeting scheduled for next week.
“A city in Perth has established a similar concept and it has worked really well. I think this would be a great initiative for Casey.”
He said it would cost about $200,000 for the pilot program to run for 12 months.
It would then be analysed and continued if successful.
