Safe train plan

By Lia Bichel
DANDENONG commuters could get extra protection with a Victorian coalition government promise.
The Stopping Crime in its Track policy promises Victoria Police Protective Services Officers (PSOs) on every Greater Dandenong train station after 6pm, seven days a week.
South Eastern Metropolitan MP Inga Peulich said additional Victoria Police officers would also patrol the local Greater Dandenong train and bus networks under the policy announcement.
“A Baillieu government will turn stations from places of fear into places of safety under the $200 million four-year Stopping Crime in its Tracks policy,” she said. “The coalition’s plan guarantees that there will be uniformed officers on every Greater Dandenong train station from 6pm until the last train, seven days a week.”
Ms Peulich said lawlessness and violence force Greater Dandenong residents to fear for their safety and often avoid public transport and the train system.
“Women and elderly people in particular are frightened to use the public transport network, especially at night,” she said.
“Making the public transport system safe again means stopping and punishing illegal and anti-social behaviour, including violence, intimidation, offensive behaviour, public drunkenness and vandalism.”
Victorian Police Association secretary Greg Davies welcomed the announcement.
“It’s nice to see somebody is finally taking the issue seriously instead of spending vast amounts of money on a ticketing system nobody wants,” he said.
President of the Public Transport User’s Association Daniel Bowen said it was a “step in the right direction.”
“People are concerned about safety on public transport and particularly on the train system at night,” he said.
“It would go a long way to allaying those fears.”
Dandenong Acting Sergeant Stephen Sheahan said Greater Dandenong residents could be assured that police patrol the station on a regular basis, every day.
“Police from Dandenong patrol the station every shift,” he said.