Northern beaches: Violent crime leads to calls for ‘fully operational’ Mona Vale police station
A spate of violent crimes which have rocked the northern beaches community have led to calls for more police resources and a “fully operational” Mona Vale Police Station, after years of uncertainty about its future.
Manly
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A recent spate of violent crimes on the northern beaches has led to calls for a “fully operational” Mona Vale Police Station, with one mother stating her children no longer feel safe in the area after her son was attacked.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons said her son was bashed on the same night a police officer was assaulted outside McDonald’s in Warriewood by the same group of youths.
She told the Manly Daily the incident has scarred him for life and she was sent a “horrific” video which showed him getting kicked in the head.
“Police told me there were a group of teens causing trouble. My son went to McDonald’s and ended up getting bashed by 25 or so boys and he wasn’t the only one. It was very traumatic,” she said.
“It looked really bad but somehow there wasn’t any serious damage. I don’t understand how people think it’s okay to do that.”
The woman said the group of attackers were aged between 16 and 18 but she had heard of various other crimes in the area.
“They ended up having police come in from the city because there was so much going on that night.
“I think having a fully operational police station in the area would make such a big difference. I want to know teenagers are safe to meet up with friends and that it’s safe to walk around after school or work.”
She recently signed a petition on Change.org which calls for a “fully operational” Mona Vale Police Station and more police resources north of Narrabeen Bridge, which has received support from 660 people.
A majority of the property where the police station is located is vacant, with part of it used for a holding site for wrecked vehicles. The Mona Vale police station located on Pittwater Rd was refurbished and enlarged back in 2008.
Northern Beaches councillor Vincent De Luca launched the petition after a number of residents expressed their concerns.
“It concerns me greatly that last week two young men were seriously assaulted in Narrabeen, one just getting off the bus at Narrabeen after a hard day’s work and a mere hours before another innocent young man being set upon,” Cr De Luca said.
“I was alarmed and wrote immediately to the Minister Police, David Elliott, when two men attempted to kidnap a teenage boy off a street in Elanora Heights recently.
“This was shortly after police allege another man had propositioned children at Warriewood with money. Fortunately, he was later arrested.”
He started the petition with hopes authorities would listen to the residents being affected.
“Avalon and Collaroy Police Stations closed many years ago. Mona Vale Police Station is not fully staffed.
“We need Mona Vale Police Station to be fully staffed and operational and more Police on the beat in Narrabeen, Warriewood, Elanora Heights, Mona Vale and Newport to address the ever increasing rates of crime and serious acts of violence.”
But Supt Patrick Sharkey, Northern Beaches Police Area Commander said police were “well resourced and operates a robust deployment model”.
“The Command is able to provide the full range of policing services with an appropriate level of police presence across the PAC.
“All local resources are supplemented by specialist police who are managed centrally but can be deployed across boundaries to meet the changing community needs and respond to changing crime patterns and emerging issues.”
He also addressed the future of Mona Vale Police Station after there were rumours in 2019 it could be sold off as part of a police force’s statewide “re-engineering” program.
“There are no plans to close Mona Vale Police Station or to reopen Avalon Police Station noting that the area is adequately policed by the resources currently available,” Supt Sharkey said.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes, also Pittwater MP, added it was “important they remain at Mona Vale”.
“Our local police do an incredible job and they’re obviously best placed to determine their own strategic arrangements,” Mr Stokes said.
“I’ll always help support them and their operational decisions.”