Mentone train station: schoolchildren safety at risk unless security patrols increased
Reports of threatening behaviour towards students in Melbourne’s southeast has prompted a school principal to lead a campaign aimed at boosting security at a busy Mentone train station.
Inner South
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A school principal is leading a campaign to boost security at Mentone train station, after several reports of students being menaced by gangs.
The safety of thousands of schoolchildren is at risk unless more protective service officers (PSOs) are deployed at the busy station, Kilbreda College principal Nicole Mangelsdorf has warned.
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Ms Mangelsdorf is spearheading a campaign backed by several local schools to boost PSO numbers.
Ms Mangelsdorf said incidents involving “undesirable behaviour from some members of the public” hastened her push.
“We had a situation where a specific group of youths were intimidating and threatening our students,” Ms Mangelsdorf said.
“They were demanding money and the children were feeling unsafe.”
A large portion of the 6000 students from Kilbreda, Mentone Girls Secondary College, Mentone Girls’ Grammar, Mentone Grammar, Parkdale Secondary College and St Bede’s College travel via the station.
She was also concerned about the “sheer volume” of commuters now using the station.
She wants PSOs to begin patrolling by the time school ends at 3pm. Currently PSOs clock on at 5.30pm.
Ms Mangelsdorf said the high-volume traffic had also affected overworked teachers.
“For many years now Kilbreda has had staff undertake duties to assist moving students to avoid congestion and improve safety,” she said.
“As it is not the college’s responsibility to do this and out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of our staff we will no longer be staffing the station.”
Sandringham Liberal MP Brad Rowswell fully supports the campaign.
“An increased PSO presence at Mentone is essential to keeping our community safe,” he said.
“With more than 5,000 local students accessing the station on school days, it has the risk of becoming a honey pot for criminals pedalling drugs to young people.
“I will continue to fight for this outcome until it is delivered.”
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