By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A VOLUNTEER crime-prevention patrol piloted in Dandenong is set to move into new pastures.
Sergeant Joey Herrech, who heads Operation PYLET (Police and Young Leaders Engagement Team), said the program, which has run only in Dandenong for a year, would be shifted to Frankston in coming weeks.
The state-first PYLET was highlighted in the police’s ‘blue paper’ released last week, which pointed to a greater use of volunteers.
In the PYLET team, police tour the municipality’s roughest spots on Friday nights with volunteer leaders from Maori, Samoan and Sudanese communities.
The friendly crew makes no arrests but reaches out to young people, hosing down trouble before it ignites.
Sgt Herrech says PYLET was “a really good example” of how volunteers could complement the police force.
On nights that PYLET hits the streets, police callouts are markedly reduced, he says. It helped connect young people with “the right people” who could help them get housing, jobs and education.
“In its infancy, it was very difficult. We saw young people who had absolutely no respect for police and the judicial system,” Sgt Herrech says.
“Now we’re seeing success story after success story. Their cultural group is embracing them again.”
He said he was mindful not to burn out his unpaid PYLET leaders.
“Their pay is just the success of the program and for their young people.
“The concept means the community takes ownership of problems. The big thing is the communities see what’s happening. They see the problems that the police face and may come up with a solution.”
Sgt Herrech said there was a limited window for volunteers – “We don’t want to panic the public and say volunteers are going out to make arrests.”
But PYLET showed that window could be large enough to make a difference.
“Not everyone can be cut out to be a police officer but they can be excellent volunteers for supplementary and pro-active policing.”
