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SPORT
Critical services fall short A recent community crime forum in Casey highlighted growing community concerns in the municipality and highlighted the shortfalls in police resourcing. The forum underscored a petition sponsored by MP David Limbrick, calling on the state government to increase police presence in Casey as well as specialist support staff and further transparency in deployment numbers. While being the biggest municipality by population, at any given time it was revealed that approximately 12 officers are typically on duty across the city. It comes as recent figures from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) have revealed that crime incidents in Casey have climbed by 9.1 per cent from April 2025 to March 2026. While total offences have increased by 11 per cent with over 31,000 offences recorded. Among the new figures, incidents of serious family violence assault have also dramatically risen by over 30 per cent in the last year. With 3963 breaches of family violence order recorded — up over 15 per cent to the previous year. With the rise in cases, last week, it was revealed to Star News that only one Alexis worker, a family violence specialist and coordinator working within a police unit, working across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong. FOR MORE, TURN TO PAGES 3 AND 6
Panelists at a community crime forum in Casey highlighted the current crime landscape. (Afraa Kori)
Mayor’s future Casey Mayor Stefan Koomen has declined to rule out a future run at the Victorian state election, amid growing speculation about his political am-
bitions. While confirming his current focus remains on serving the City of Casey during his second term as mayor, Koomen said he has made no commitment to contesting a state seat but left the
possibility open. The comments come as political parties begin positioning candidates ahead of the November state election. Koomen, who was elected to Casey Council in
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2024 and became mayor a month later, said his priority is delivering outcomes for residents and advocating for the municipality’s key infrastructure and funding needs. FOR MORE ON THIS STORY GO TO PAGE 2
CASEY DEMONS
Go to Casey Conversations to support the projects that matter most to Casey. 12850847-CV11-26
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By Jensy Callimootoo