NEWS + SPORT + THE WEST’S BEST PROPERTY GUIDE
Police numbers protest
By Xavier Smerdon
Police o cers are preparing to protest atthelackofmembersintheWyndham area.
Police Association secretary Ron Iddles said a rally would be held on September6atStationPlacetodrawthe public’s attention to the “poor state of police resources” in Wyndham.
“Police in Wyndham are desperately short-sta ed,” Senior Sergeant Iddles said.
“ is problem just keeps getting worse by the day as the population continues to rise … our members are increasingly overburdened with crushing workloads while the public is deprived of an optimal policing service capable of e ectively combating the scourge of family violence, street assaults and drug-related crimes.”
Senior Sergeant Iddles said the rally wouldbeheldfrom11amtosendaclear message to both sides of politics.
“ enumberstell[the]story,”hesaid. “Wyndham has just 45 rst-response o cers for every 100,000 people in the municipality. is compares with a state average of 102 o cers for every 100,000.
“ is gap will continue to widen unless drastic action is taken now to improve police resources at Wyndham.
“Our research is telling us that the population is projected to continue to soarinthenext veyearsbyawhopping 24 per cent.
“ at means Wyndham needs an additional 159 rst-response o cers during the next ve years just to reach and then maintain the current average Victorian ratio.
“Until this situation is urgently xed, the Wyndham community and our
members who serve them will continue to be short-changed.”
Last week, Star Weekly revealed the state government had allocated three hectares of land for a new justice precinct in Werribee.
It is thought that the move will bring more police o cers to Wyndham.
Senior Sergeant Iddles applauded the move but said more needed to be done.
“In our view, both the existing Werribee police station and courthouse are inadequate, unsafe and need to be replaced with a more modern and functional facility,” he said.
“We’re also of the strong view that Wyndham needs an additional police station where the strongest growth is projected to take place, be it either in Wyndham Vale or Point Cook.”
Police Minister Kim Wells said: “We have been in discussions with the Police Association for some time about their wishlist for the coming election.
“ e decisions on where to build new police stations, as well as the increase in police numbers based on population growth is part of an ongoing law and order discussion.
“ e dialogue between the Napthine government, Chief Commissioner Ken Lay and the association remains open and ongoing.
“Any decisions made on these issues, however, will not be rushed.
“ eyneedtobecarefullyconsidered, takingintoaccountthewantsandneeds of each community.
“ e Napthine government has delivered more than 1700 extra police o cers to Victoria, exceeding our election commitment. ese extra police mean Victoria Police can ght more crime more e ectively and detect crime better than before.”
After appearing in their rst major stage production together, Honey and Tylah, best friends from Hoppers Crossing, are eager to see where their talents can take them. The Cambridge Primary School pupils played princesses in The King and I for adoring audiences at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre. For both, being in the musical has given them the acting bug.
■ Full story, page 12
(Joe Mastroianni)
Test page two headline is here
By Michael Long
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do,
particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
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Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be
home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey and annoying the hell out of my family.
Instead, I have to put up with grumpy Steve and that is something no one should have to do, particularly on a Sunday.
Geez, I hate working on a Sunday. I could be home drinking whiskey .
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