Protective Service Officer patrols proposed after murder of comedian Eurydice Dixon
POLICE, government and councils will discuss whether Protective Service Officers should be moved to crime hot spots after the murder of comedian Eurydice Dixon.
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A SWEEPING review of security across Melbourne will be launched after the murder of comedian Eurydice Dixon.
Authorities will hold a meeting tomorrow to assess the city’s crime hot spots, police resources and the amount of CCTV and lighting.
Police, government and councils will discuss whether Protective Service Officers should be moved to crime hot spots as well as patrolling public transport.
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The meeting will be held on the same day as a public vigil for Ms Dixon, 22, at Princes Park in Carlton North, where she was found dead on Wednesday morning.
Yesterday her dad Jeremy expressed his gratitude, saying in a statement: “Eurydice’s immediate family very much appreciate the community support shown for Eurydice and the positive coverage about her.”
Jaymes Todd, 19, has been charged with her rape and murder.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it was “important we review and act” in the wake of an “extreme act of violence”.
“I think the first step has to be to get the right parties together,” she said.
“We need to make sure we respond appropriately, and responding in a kneejerk way isn’t necessarily a good thing either. We (previously) installed 37 LED lights around that Princes Park zone, but there are more to come — they are more powerful and more effective.
“We’re talking about police presence — PSOs are very focused on transport, I think we’ll have a broader conversation on whether PSOs can be extended into crime hot spots.”
Premier Daniel Andrews said the “tragic and shocking incident again shows that violence against women is all too real”.
“That’s why we have a comprehensive plan that leads our nation in its scale and innovation to change attitudes and, therefore, behaviour,” Mr Andrews said.
That includes a Bill to be introduced this week to form a new agency, Respect Victoria, to stop family violence.
At Princes Park last night, a ring of floral tributes continued to grow as mourners ignored the cold and rain to pay their respects.
Footballers from the University Blacks and St Bernards formed a circle of solidarity at the scene to pay their respects, saying men’s attitudes had to change.
The teams had just finished a match on a nearby field when they, along with their coaches, walked to the floral tribute after the siren sounded.
Josh Bowden, 27, from the Uni Blacks, said many players had been deeply affected.
“It was quite telling that on Thursday night a lot of blokes talked about it at training,” he said.
Mr Bowden had one message to men: “It’s pretty simple: it’s just not good enough. We need to change.”
Tomorrow night’s vigil is expected to draw thousands of people to Carlton North to remember the life of the talented 22-year-old.
“We want to emphasise that women should have the right to walk where they want when they want,” Audrey Arjoune, one of the organisers, said.
The family of Ms Dixon has put their support behind the cause but said they do not want the service to become aggressive.
The Reclaim Princes Park vigil will be held from 5.30pm tomorrow, with more than 7700 Melburnians indicating they will attend.
To donate to a fund for Ms Dixon’s family, go to gofundme.com/princes-park-victim-fund