Law and order important for people of Croydon electorate

LAW and order is a key issue for people living in the Croydon electorate, and some candidates say there is room for improvement.

Police operation at Eastland shopping centre Ringwood

SIX candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to contest the seat of Croydon, which encompasses a large swath of the City of Maroondah and nibbles parts of the Yarra Ranges Shire.

Kilsyth state Liberal MP David Hodgett holds the renamed seat by an extremely comfortable margin of 12.2 per cent and is unlikely to feel very threatened at this election.

Mr Hodgett said the State Government’s investment in law and order had made the Croydon community a safer place to live, pointing to the PSO rollout at three train stations and a statewide boost in police numbers, but said safety remained an issue that concerned voters.

“I think law and order is still in the front of people’s minds,” Mr Hodgett said.

“People have a right to feel safe in their community.”

“People have a right to feel safe in their community.” - Kilsyth state Liberal MP David Hodgett.

Australian Country Alliance candidate Sarah Barclay said Croydon was no less safe than any other area of Melbourne, while independent candidate Joel Martin said safety was an issue in all communities and there was always room for improvement.

But Greens candidate Jill Wild said a lack of investment in paramedic and firefighting capabilities had hurt the overall safety of the electorate.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT SAFETY IN YOUR COMMUNITY? TELL US IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW.

Australian Christians candidate Mike Brown said better CCTV coverage and increased police presence was needed in Croydon, while Labor candidate Lesley Fielding said upgrading the Main St security cameras would be on her “to-do” list if she was elected.

“If people felt more confident that it was functioning to their level of satisfaction I think they would feel safer,” Ms Fielding said.

Most candidates were able to name the State Treasurer (Michael O’Brien), but Mr Martin nominated Kim Wells, and Ms Barclay said: “I have no idea, I’m not a politician and I don’t have the political background coming in as a nurse.”