Call for police

By Lia Bichel
A MAN who was stabbed in Springvale this year said Greater Dandenong residents would “definitely benefit” from more police.
Victoria Police has named Greater Dandenong as one of the top 10 areas in the state in need of extra police.
Narre Warren resident, Paul Iovan, 18, was stabbed at the Springvale Community Summer Festival in February and was admitted to The Alfred hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“(Greater Dandenong) would definitely benefit from more police,” he said.
“I think there should have been more police at the (Springvale) event.”
Mr Iovan said he hasn’t returned to Greater Dandenong since the terrifying ordeal, but said he would consider returning if there were more police patrolling the streets.
His mother, Anna Ruisi, said she believed more police were needed not only in Greater Dandenong but throughout the state.
“Who’s to say the stabbing wouldn’t have happened if there were more police, but maybe it could have been stopped,” she said.
“But these things happen everywhere and I think people would benefit from more police all over.”
The Victoria Police list was based on a review that considered operational activity, operational demand, emerging trends, community perceptions and organisational capacity.
Victoria Police is in the process of determining how many additional officers will be placed in each of the locations on the list and is working to ensure the allocations are balanced and go to police stations most in need.
Acting Inspector Russell Patten said he welcomed the idea of new police at the area.
“Anytime we can have extra police available, we can certainly utilise them for a number of things,” he said.
“We are already utilising additional resources of Operation Response Units to run operations which will better the whole community.”
Other areas in need of police determined by Victoria Police are Frankston, Maribyrnong, Hume, Wyndham, Moreland, Brimbank, Casey, Melton and Port Phillip Police Service Areas (PSAs).
Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay said that while these areas had been made an immediate priority, many other parts of the state would benefit from additional police over the next five years.
“Whilst these key areas have been identified as requiring additional police, as we continue to work through this process many more locations across the state will be identified and receive additional officers in coming years.
“This is just the start of our work to boost Victoria Police’s operational capacity and presence in the community.”
Mr Lay said in addition to the redeployment of members to the frontline, there would be 450 additional police in operational areas this financial year, and a total of 1700 additional police over the next five years.