By Casey Neill
Springvale Scout Hall is safer following a $7282 upgrade.
The 2nd Springvale Scout Group used a State Government Community Safety Fund grant to install lighting and security improvements to help address crime and anti-social behaviour near the hall.
There’s now lighting along the side and front of the hall and in the car park, plus a new roller door on the equipment storeroom.
Keysborough MP Martin Pakula said about 200 community members used the scout hall each week.
“This important security upgrade for the Springvale Scout Hall will help to protect valuable equipment and help to keep the community safe,” he said.
Bryan Elliott, 2nd Springvale Scout Group committee president, said the storeroom contained years and years of accumulated camping gear.
“The previous one was looking very tired,” he said.
“If they look like they’re tired they probably are and they attract attention.
“There’s definitely been evidence of a couple of attempted break-ins.”
Mr Elliott said there was a pergola behind the hall with a public barbecue area.
“Unfortunately, from time to time, undesirable people have been using it and they occasionally will interrupt or hassle some of the leaders who are there with the kids,” he said.
“Because the hall obscures the pergola area from public view, they’re quite well hidden away out the back.”
The lighting includes a sensor-activated blue light on that area to discourage drug use.
Mr Elliott said the lights on either side of the hall give the kids more space to use in the evenings.
“The light is brighter and reaches further into the grass area,” he said.
“Having those upgrades done gives us better peace of mind.”
