Special taskforce watches from shadows

THE two men in the car next to you at the lights in the centre of Frankston might be more than just two men absent-mindedly studying the traffic.

Despite their casual appearance and nonchalant air they could be members of the police Shadow Taskforce, going about their business of keeping an eye out for miscreants and maintaining law and order.

The taskforce, established only in April, has already made 120 arrests and kept lawbreakers off the streets and out of trouble – many for months.

Although senior members are reluctant to divulge the number of police in the taskforce, they are quick to point out that – due to its initial successes – its numbers have recently been increased and its future is assured.

The officer in charge, Sergeant Duncan McGorrery, based at Frankston for five years, is proud of the success of the group, patrolling the whole of the Frankston local government area, but which can go anywhere at any time to catch offenders targeting Frankston.

“We are out to prevent crime in uniform and plain clothes, so any potential offenders should not be too confident that we are not around,” he said.

“We could be in a cafe, down the beach, at a bus stop, or tailing a car.

“We are investing resources in grass roots policing with the aim of making people feel comfortable, especially in the city centre.”

Sgt McGorrery revels in the taskforce’s multi-functional role and members’ ability to blend in with their environment, depending on the role they are playing and the types of crime they are out to prevent.

“Being in plain clothes and also uniforms we are saying we are always around,” he said. “You can never be sure where we might pop up and that’s part of our success.

“In this way we are applying heat to local crims by talking to their friends, family members and colleagues, perhaps on a daily basis. We know they are then talking to the crims and warning them, saying we are looking for them, and that’s keeping them nervous and intimidated.

“They know we are after them and that’s keeping them on the straight and narrow.” 

He cites the group’s ability to “lock an area down” and search house-to-house, if necessary, to root out offenders.

The taskforce’s focus is on high-volume crime which is plaguing Frankston and surrounding suburbs – such as thefts of cars and thefts from cars, drug use, crop houses, trafficking, street violence, shop stealing, and burglaries.

They “relentlessly monitor and track” high-risk offenders, with any means available, and use their powers to have them remanded in custody and off the streets whenever possible.

“Our charter is to protect community safety and we will use the full force of the law to ensure that,” Sgt McGorrery said.

The arrest of two known criminals in a stolen car in Skye Rd, Frankston, on Monday 4 July, illustrates the effectiveness of the taskforce through its ability to keep tabs on known offenders while going unnoticed themselves.

Their male and female targets – unaware they were being watched – got such a shock when police pounced that they sped off in panic, crashing the Holden Calais and sending the man, 24, through the windscreen.  He was being treated for spinal injuries at Frankston Hospital last week.

The couple was remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 30 August: she on charges of car theft, conduct endangering life and evading police; he on charges of car theft, and various drug and traffic offences.

The mistake they made was to underestimate the forces being used against them. This proactive policing is seen to be working. Statistics collected through a community survey show public confidence in police is up 3 per cent; satisfaction with public order policing is up 4 per cent, and satisfaction with police and public contact is up 7 per cent.

The taskforce exploits younger criminals’ desire for gossip and braggadocio on social media, as well as through online sales and secondhand dealer sales of stolen goods.

“We gather intelligence anyway we can,” Sgt McGorrery said. “We have found that swift responding is often our best weapon.”

Debriefing offenders often leads to the arrest of other criminals. Recently, Shadow Taskforce members raided the house of a known drug trafficker, only to meet – and arrest – one of Frankston’s most prolific ice dealers who just happened to be visiting. Was this a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or an example of proactive policing coming up trumps?

The taskforce sets out to hunt offenders, but Sgt McGorrery describes it as “victim focused”.

“We want to support victims and put resources in place to help them, as well as cementing strategies in place to reduce the chance of further victims,” he said.

This support may include assistance with installing security doors, CCTV, phones or security.

“Victims, especially, want us to catch offenders,” he said. “And their assistance in providing clues and details of offenders for police – even the smallest piece of information – can prove vital in nailing a culprit.”

In one case a thief stole his younger brother’s car and was at large for three months. Taskforce members helped him get back his car, earning his gratitude and appreciation.

Being proactive against youths congregating in central Frankston, especially in the evening when they can be affected by ice or alcohol, is a major focus.

“One of our biggest tools is disruption policing,” Sgt McGorrey said.

“We know youths congregate in the CBD and around the cinema complex, and this is often a catalyst for crime, especially violence, so we act quickly and move them on.

“Other young people and families should feel safe in town and not threatened.”

Keeping a covert eye on crime – especially potential crime – is the role of a taskforce whose members may not be seen, but whose presence can be felt by those in the shadows.

Might be best for them to come into the light.

First published in the Frankston Times – 18 July 2016