By ANEEKA SIMONIS
SAFETY authorities met with residents from Meadowvale retirement village last week to soothe fears over the area’s level of crime.
Police, the CFA, Red Cross and Gembrook MP Brad Battin met residents on Wednesday 22 October to talk about safety in the home, when driving and out and about.
“We decided to host this event for the wider community to let older people know that they can feel confident and capable of living their lives without fear,” said Meadowvale Village manager Janet Fisher.
Senior Constable Frank Bailey from Emerald police station said simple considerations can help protect the home, such as keeping a dog and having a younger voice recorded on the answering machine.
“The best thing that you can do is get to know your neighbours; that way you can look out for one another and raise the alarm if anything strange happens,” he said.
Other crime related topics included home security, public theft, and fraud while fire related topics included rehydration on hot days, home escape plans and smoke detectors.
Resident Joan said that she moved to Meadowvale because she didn’t feel comfortable being in her house alone anymore.
“I know my all my neighbours and I know they look after me,” she said.
“We have a great community at Meadowvale and getting these tips from experts has only made me more confident about choosing to live in Pakenham.”
The safety talk was sparked following concerns over in-home assaults in Cardinia over the past 18 months.
Lend Lease Meadowvale Retirement Village is home to more than 200 residents.
