By LIA SPENCER
THE ICE epidemic has hit “plague proportions” according to Cardinia Shire’s top cop.
Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer has called on collaborative community action to help police tackle the growing drug problem, as well as family violence, following the release of the latest Victorian crime statistics.
From October 2013 to September 2014, drug offences were up 43 per cent from the previous year.
Sen Sgt Teer said methamphetamine, better known as ‘Ice’, is an enormous issue which needed to be addressed not only by police, but my local organisations. He said young people should be educated at home and at schools about the drug and its affects.
“Ice is really bad, it’s at plague proportions,” he said.
“People are using party drugs, like ice, because it’s cheap and easy to get,” he said.
“The rise in detected drug offences reflects the magnificent work police are doing to crack down on the problem.
“Our detectives, undercover and uniform police are targeting known drugs places, like car parks and parks.”
Sen Sgt Teer said family violence was also a problem in middleclass areas such as Pakenham and surrounds.
“In the old days, people would not report family violence,” he said.
“But more people are reporting it now.
“We take it very seriously and if it is reported, people will be reprimanded and it will go through the courts.”
Sen Sgt Teer said the victims in family violence situations were usually women, and police worked to ensure they were safe after any incident.
He said the problem, like the ice epidemic, also needed to be addressed by the wider community.
The Gazette recently reported that many people were crusading for change, with over 70 male community members signing up to a pledge to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. In the past year, more than 70 male community leaders have been educated on the scourge of family violence and violence against women in general under the banner of the Challenge Family Violence program, with a view to encourage behavioural change across their spheres of influence.
Sen Sgt Teer said he was pleased with the other entire crime statistic, which include a nine per cent decrease in total crime. Residential burglaries were down 23 per cent, assault excluding family violence was down 20 per cent, theft from vehicles was down 28 per cent and property damage was down 15 per cent.
Sen Sgt Teer said police would continue their tough stance on crime.
“I am very pleased with the work police are doing and we will probably increase our efforts in the future,” he said.
