Cops ‘streamline summer staffing’

By Cherie Donnellan
COASTAL cops have reviewed their summer policing strategy in a bid to improve productivity and streamline services, according Surf Coast’s police service co-ordinator.
Senior Sergeant Angelo Ferrara said allocations of additional police for the summer holiday period were yet to be finalised but would be similar to previous years.
“Our main concern is to implement intelligent rostering so we’re able to best place police members at key locations and times. This will be different to previous years.”
Snr Sgt Ferrara confirmed police would continue operating 24-hour services in coastal holiday centres.
“We know that coastal resort towns have increased visitor numbers over the summer, so we’ll have firm tasking operations in place.”
Sen Sgt Ferrara said road safety issues, liquor licensing laws, drug and alcohol consumption issues and thefts from cars would be priorities for police.
“We understand there’s an increase in traffic and holidaymakers are not as familiar with our roads, so there’ll be an emphasis on road policing, particularly on the Great Ocean Road.
“We’ll be cracking down on speed, people using mobile phones while driving and drink driving.”
Sen Sgt Ferrara said licensed venues would be heavily policed, while “anti-social behaviour” with drugs or alcohol “wouldn’t be tolerated”.
Thefts from motor vehicles were an ongoing concern for police during holiday periods, he said.
“We’ll be monitoring the congregation of vehicles left unattended during daytime in coastal car parks. Past operations targeting those areas were successful so we will continue running them.”
Sen Sgt Ferrara said the review was part of a statewide initiative to streamline and improve police services.
His confirmation of a continued police presence on the coast during holidays followed reports earlier this week that the force might decrease coastal staffing this summer.
Command usually sends reinforcements to the coast in summer, drawing officers from Geelong and other regional centres in Victoria.
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