Moonee Ponds Neighbourhood Watch kicks off to kerb local crime
A new neighbourhood watch group has started in Moonee Ponds to help kerb the growing rate of car-related thefts in the suburb. And if you live in an apartment, this is why you should be extra alert.
North West
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A new neighbourhood watch group is starting up in Moonee Ponds to tackle increased crime in the suburb.
Thefts from motor vehicles in the suburb have spiked from 202 in 2017 to 234 in 2019.
Moonee Ponds Neighbourhood Watch area co-ordinator Ben van der Merwe said he and his neighbours started the group when they became concerned with the rate of crime at the Mason Square apartment complex.
“Most of us have been there about a year and have noticed an increase in theft particularly in the car park,” he said.
“We thought if we were suffering more than other people in the neighbourhood were so we felt it would be better to form a community group.”
The group officially commenced on February 20 and will focus on the Moonee Ponds activity centre.
He said apartment blocks were attractive to criminals and thieves after easy targets.
“Apartments are a big complex so they attract criminal activity because people don’t know who’s a neighbour and who’s a criminal,” Mr van der Merwe said.
“People are gaining entry by tailgating residents into the car park, so it’s important to make people more aware of security so we can all find a way to have a safe community.”
The group’s Facebook community has quickly grown from 10 to more than 70, he said.
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Mr van der Merwe said the group would run initiatives to enhance awareness in the community about how to prevent crime and help people in Moonee Ponds feel a little bit safer.
“It’s distressing to know someone has invaded your personal world and taken one of your items from your world, it makes people feel insecure,” he said.
“Crime is like leaving food out for rates – we have got to find a way to make it unappealing.”
The group may expand their radius to cover more of Moonee Ponds depending on the success of the initiative, and will work in collaboration with the Moonee Valley Neighbourhood Watch.