LAW and order was in the spotlight last Thursday when Police Minister Wade Noonan visited Frankston train station to thank police for their work to keep commuters and passerbys safe.
Crime statistics show an 18 per cent fall in disorderly and offensive conduct and a 15 per drop in weapons offences last year.
“The decrease in public order and security offences reflects the hard work carried out by police in the Frankston area in detecting and preventing these types of crimes,” Mr Noonan said.
Labor won government at November’s state election so the majority of the fall in crime in 2014 occurred under the previous Coalition government.
Protective services officers (PSOs) were introduced by the former Napthine government at Frankston train station in August 2013.
Police patrolled Frankston beaches over the summer months to combat theft and anti-social behaviour.
A police “brawler van” is also now regularly on standby near pubs and clubs to help stop drug and alcohol-fuelled fights in Frankston.
“Frankston police have responded to community safety issues with several initiatives aimed at problem behaviours where they occur most,” Mr Noonan said.
Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke said the $50 million revamp of the Frankston train station precinct and Young St will “ensure all community members feel safe”.
“The precinct is the heart of the Frankston community and we want it to be a state-of-the-art transport hub, encouraging jobs and bringing Chisholm TAFE closer to the community,” he said.
Earlier this year, Frankston police inspector Tony Silva told The Times (‘City’s reputation strains family relations’, The Times 2/3/15) there could be a perception that Frankston train station is a dangerous place but crime data showed offences on the Frankston line “is not disproportionate to reported offending on other lines”.
“From what we can see, Frankston is no more prone to criminal activity than any other area of the transport network.”
