Sergeant Mark Vonarx and Det Sen Const Scott D’Rozario with one of the train travellers holding out the sticker. 31118 Picture: Meagan Rogers
By Melissa Meehan
VICTORIA Police, the City of Greater Dandenong and Connex have rolled out an initiative designed to highlight vehicle safety around railway station car parks in the area.
Titled “ParkSafe”, the initiative is being tested in the Greater Dandenong Area.
One of its key elements is the distribution of commuter stickers designed to alert police to vehicles that would normally be parked at railway stations during business hours.
Det Sen Constable Scott D’Rozario, formerly of the Springvale Police station, said the program allowed police on patrol during these hours to identify vehicles that may have been stolen.
“The stickers can be placed on the rear windscreen of the vehicle and when police see these vehicles operating during normal business hours the vehicle is intercepted, the driver is asked to provide identification and proof of ownership,” he said.
Police plan to distribute the stickers at stations in the Greater Dandenong Area including Springvale, Sandown Park, Noble Park, Yarraman and Dandenong, as well as the Greater Dandenong Council office in Springvale.
Greater Dandenong mayor Pinar Yesil said the public transport system was well utilised in the local area and it was important commuters felt safe.
“Every commuter has the right to feel safe. It is important that we make security in station car parks a key priority,” she said.
“Together, council, police and Connex hope this initiative will increase overall safety and reduce crime on public transport in Greater Dandenong.”
