Western Port residents want Mornington Peninsula Shire to beef-up security in their towns
Locals from the Mornington Peninsula’s “forgotten side” say more patrols are needed to stop youth crime and keep them safe.
South East
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Western Port residents want their towns patrolled by private security to help them feel safe.
The plea to beef-up security came at a community meeting called by Western Port Neighbourhood Watch in response to growing unrest about youth crime.
Somerville resident Sue Horkings said more patrols were needed across the “forgotten side” of the Mornington Peninsula.
“There is a real issue with youth crime at the moment,” she said.
“Most people are too scared to walk the streets in Somerville after dark and many don’t even like walking in some areas during the day.
“It’s right across Western Port not just Somerville. Hastings is getting hit really hard by crime as well.”
She backed a call from Western Port Neighbourhood Watch member John Rault for Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to investigate hiring private security to patrol hot spots at night.
“Having the presence of those patrols would deter the petty crime and the more serious offences,” Mr Rault said.
Ms Horkings said the council and state government needed to do more to support Western Port residents.
“We are forgotten, neglected. All the money and resources go to the Port Phillip side.”
Mornington Peninsula mayor Steve Holland said it was not appropriate for the council to employ private security.
“It’s tricky, it’s a grey area,” he said.
“The council does not have the power to enforce the law … to arrest offenders or prosecute them.
“Private security guards face the same limitations.”
Increasing the police presence in the area would be a better solution, he said.
“We saw with the jet skis how increasing the police presence stopped people doing silly things,” he said.
“Everyone understands there are resourcing issues for the police and that there is a recruitment process underway.
“We need to make sure the Mornington Peninsula gets its fair share.”
Sergeant Chris Di Ciro of Hastings police said police had recently increased the focus on neighbourhood policing in Western Port and were working hard to “get out into the community”.
“We have officers patrolling on bikes and have started holding regular coffee with a cop sessions in Somerville with the aim of expanding that to other areas of Western Port,” she said.
Coffee with a cop encouraged residents to talk to police in a relaxed environment about local enforcement issues or concerns, she said.
Police also engaged with young people through Hastings Blue Light Discos.