Cop shop plea ‘naive’

By Shaun Inguanzo
A POLICE station for Noble Park would be a ‘naive’ and ‘quick-fix’ solution to the town’s crime and migration issues, according to Greater Dandenong’s top cop.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Region Five, Paul Evans, this week rejected calls by local councillors for a police station in Noble Park.
He said it would draw police off the streets and into unnecessary administrative duties.
In an exclusive interview with Star, Mr Evans outlined the police force’s Operation Sarazen plan to combat Noble Park’s escalating crime rate that will involve a five-man police van known as the Brawler, extra police patrols at night, and a mobile police station all tasked to the township.
Mr Evans’ firm rejection of a police station was in response to Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown’s request at a City of Greater Dandenong council meeting this week to have CEO John Bennie approach the State Government and instigate talks about a new police station for Noble Park.
Cr Brown’s push followed last month’s petition from Noble Park traders complaining about ongoing crime and settlement issues with the town’s African refugee population.
Soon after the petition was lodged with council, 19-year-old Sudanese refugee Liep Gony was fatally bashed outside Noble Park train station on 26 September.
A private funeral for Liep Gony was held on Wednesday at Dandenong’s Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hutton Street.
Cr Brown said he envisaged a new shopfront police station for Buckley Street that would have limited hours but provide peace of mind for residents and local traders.
He said the station would be a long-term solution to Noble Park’s undeserved reputation of crime.
But Mr Evans disagreed and said a new station was a naive suggestion and was only a quick-fix solution to deeper issues involving refugee settlement.
Mr Evans said police would ramp up patrols of Noble Park under Operation Sarazen, which is tipped to run until the end of February.
“A new police station is not the answer to Noble Park’s problems,” he said firmly.
“I want my members out on patrol.
“Why would we (open a station) when we have got such a new police station at Springvale that is so close (to Noble Park)?”
Star travelled from Springvale Police Station to Noble Park train station at 10pm on Monday in just two minutes using Heatherton Road and with a green light at each intersection.
Mr Evans said police cars could travel faster because they would be allowed to break the 60km/h speed limit when responding to emergencies.
“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter where our officers hand in their belts,” he said.
“What matters is where they carry out their patrols day and night.”
Operation Sarazen’s Brawler van carries five police officers and up to six offenders.
It will also patrol Dandenong, Mr Evans said, or wherever there were reports of large groups of people involved in civil disobedience.
In addition to the Brawler and extra patrol units, Mr Evans said the mobile police van would continue to service Noble Park train station for the short term, with one sergeant and five officers.