Police are Visible

By Melissa Meehan
WHILE crime is down in the Cardinia PSA, perception of safety is low – so Pakenham police will take part in Operation Visible over the next month to make the area feel safer.
Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Watson said local police would take part in the minor operation in June to increase perception of safety in Pakenham and surrounding areas.
“Figures of crime are down, but for some reason the perception of safety is too,” Act Sen Sgt Watson said.
“We’ll be cropping up in various places taking part in roadblocks, doing vehicle checks at train stations and just being out there for the public to see.”
On Monday, Senior Constable Steve Hoy and Constable Anna Lorinc took to the Pakenham Railway Station, just one of many operations police will take part in.
The past 12 months have seen reported crime against the person reduce by more than 31 per cent. This is a very positive result which police are very pleased with.
Assaults in public places and during family violence incidents have reduced. Police say they will continue to work hard in this area to ensure that the number of people assaulted within the community continues to decline.
Drug offences have seen a 21 per cent increase during the last 12-month period, which is due to increased police efforts in identifying, investigating and charging offenders.