By BRIDGET SCOTT
POLICE hope that a new community initiative will empower the public and keep people’s prized possessions safer.
Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius last Tuesday launched Safe Southeast with the aim of creating safer suburbs and reducing property crime.
It will include uniform police and detectives from the City of Greater Dandenong and neighbouring City of Casey and Cardinia Shire.
Three Safe Southeast Tactical Anti-Crime Teams (TACT) of 10 officers will target crimes against property, such as theft of cars, theft from cars, burglaries and shoplifting.
They’ll work in crime hot spots, including retail precincts.
Mr Cornelius said he was eager to launch the initiative and start lowering the crime rate throughout these three cities.
“The community we serve is our focus,” he said.
“We do this with a view to make our streets safer.”
Mr Cornelius touched on the rapidly growing population in the region, and mentioned there would be a focus on youth in the area, not only as offenders but also as victims.
“We are looking into how we help young people and how we deal with the issues,” he said.
He said the teams were looking forward to working with the community and hoped this would remind people to do what they could to protect their property.
“We want to try and change behaviours,” he said.
“Far too many people don’t lock their cars and homes.”
City of Greater Dandenong Mayor Angela Long described it as “a fantastic initiative”.
The investigators hope the project will be replicated throughout other states.
Mr Cornelius was confident all sections of the community could contribute to crime safety.
“It is about all of us working together to make a difference,” he said.
