Libs promise more police

By Jade Lawton
POLICE numbers in Car
dinia and Casey would be
boosted under a Liberal
Government, says Gem
brook candidate Brad Bat
tin.
A former police officer,
Mr Battin said Opposition
Leader Ted Baillieu had
promised an additional 1600
police officers in his first
term of government.
Mr Baillieu said the $344
million plan would end
‘chronic’ police shortages
and restore public safety to
communities.
“Victorian families have
a right to feel safe and
secure in their community,
but under Labor, assaults
and anti-social behaviour
have reached record levels
on our streets, with violent
crime rising by 40 per cent
and assaults increasing by
70 per cent,” he said.
Mr Battin said more
police were needed to serv
ice the growing south-east
area.
“Police do a great job, but
on certain nights there is
only one night van out,” he
said.
“We’ll be pushing for as
many as we can get (in
Casey-Cardinia).”
Neighbourhood Watch
Area Manager Beryl Rohlf
said the organisation would
welcome more police with
‘open arms.’
“I think it would ease the
pressure on some of the
police,” she said.
Acting Minister for
Police and Emergency Ser
vices, Tony Robinson, said
the distribution of police
was up to the Chief Commis
sioner.
“The Opposition cannot
deliver the additional police
it is promising to country
communities. My message
to country communities is
to beware of Nationals bear
ing gifts,” he said.