Safer streets

By Melissa Meehan
Dandenong police will be patrolling the streets more than ever before.
Last week police relaunched Operation Safe Streets.
Daily foot patrols, dedicated vehicles and brawler vans will form a central part of the operation with police targeting known offenders and identified trouble spots such as train stations and shopping strips.
The high-profile initiative follows the success of Operation Sarazan and Operation Safe Streets, which saw police target street-level crime in the Noble Park, Springvale and Dandenong area over a five-month period.
First launched in November 2007, the operation has been credited with a 7.5 per cent drop in Greater Dandenong’s assault figures last financial year and a 5.3 per cent drop in overall crime.
Greater Dandenong Chief Inspector Charlie Allen said high visibility of police members on the streets acted as a deterrent for criminal behaviour.
“The operation will reinforce the perception of safety in Greater Dandenong,” Insp Allen said.
“Especially with the brawler van – it makes a statement that we will be watching.”
He said police would be targeting troublesome areas based on intelligence.
“We will have the capacity to target and attack problematic issues throughout our service area,” Insp Allen said.
“Our goal is to assist the perception of safety.”
Hooning will also be targeted by police during the operation.
“There will be our usual traffic policing response on public roads,” Insp Allen said.
“But we will also be targeting onlookers.”