LAGG MEDIA posted on June 17, 2009 16:20
HIGHLANDS police have responded to community calls to curb crime in Moss Vale by launching a Moss Vale crime action plan. Goulburn crime manager Detective Inspector Ward Hanson said the plan was signed off on by Goulburn Superintendent Peter Gilliam on May 22 and was aimed at “turning around the perception of a mini-crime wave” in Moss Vale.
The plan involved high visibility policing, increased patrols and more aggressive targeting of repeat offenders.The full resources of the Goulburn command using Highlands detectives, the pro-active deployment unit and better co-ordination with RailCorp transit officers were the action plan’s main tools.The main problems in Moss Vale were antisocial behaviour rather than actual criminal acts and the plan had reaped rewards over the last month, Inspector Hanson said.“Whatever the perception may be we want to alleviate it,” Mr Hanson said.
“Moss Vale is a safe and prosperous community and residents should not fear to walk the streets.” Moss Vale Chamber of Commerce president Michael Craig said he had heard from some business owners that the increased police presence had resulted in “less desirable” people staying out of town for fear of running into the thin blue line.Mr Craig said he was pleased action was being taken on the problem of crime in Moss Vale because things “had got out of hand”.
Graffiti and vandalism were big problems in the town and Mr Craig said just last weekend the fountain in Leighton Gardens was damaged with a small amount of graffiti.He hoped the increased police presence would continue and the chamber was taking a pro-active approach to beautifying the town.But while the police may be doing their bit to alleviate residents concerns over crime in Moss Vale, Mr Craig hinted that the judiciary needed to come to the party in disciplining young offenders.“These juveniles know they can’t be touched,” he said.“I know one business owner who had his car broken into in broad day light. He made a citizen’s arrest and the kid has been to court six times in the last year over it.