By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
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THE reassuring presence of a dozen invited regular police officers at to the launch of a safety action plan at Dandenong railway station last Wednesday had commuters thinking of the benefits of more protection for travellers.
The state government’s protective services officers, authorised specifically for protecting train travellers and stations, have not yet been assigned to Dandenong.
Several people questioned by the Weekly said they’d like to see a constant police presence to curb anti-social behaviour, drinking and drug-taking and assaults.
Singa Nabalarua of Hallam thought it would also help improve the station’s reputation. “Around night time it can seem unsafe but that’s probably more the perception of people outside Dandenong.”
Pinjwok Ajak of Narre Warren said the station was marred by drinkers, drug-takers and trouble-makers after dark.
Policing is one of a range of solutions in the Dandenong Railway Station Precinct Action Plan 2011-18 drafted by Greater Dandenong Council and launched last week.
The station is a transport hub for about 8000 passengers a day, but the report stated people had been avoiding the station out of fear. It stated the problem could potentially discourage workers and repel investment in the ‘revitalised’ Dandenong.
Over the past year, the council at the behest of last year’s mayor Roz Blades has teamed up with police, Metro Trains and Places Victoria to come up with answers.
There have been youth outreach workers at the station, more police patrols, 72-hour bans for offenders, CCTV installed at the taxi rank and a temporary ‘pop-up’ park opposite the station.
The council plans to introduce more CCTV in Foster Street and a “co-ordinated response” to alcohol consumption in public spaces.
Also on the wish-list is better cleaning and maintenance of the station and its disability-access lift, and freeing up overcrowded points at barriers, platforms and foyers.
Metro Trains spokesman Brad Voss said timetables would change so commuters didn’t have to “hang around the station very long”.
