Port’s police alarm

Jessica Benton
Loss of Portarlington’s police residence could damage the force’s relationship with residents, a community group has warned.
Portarlington Community Association president Monica Hayes feared the town could lose its resident policeman after a review recommended closure of his police-owned house.
“The relationship between police and the community is most important,” she said.
“The advantage of having a police residence in town is that the police member becomes a part of the community. If rural police are gotten rid of, it also gets rid of a local resident.
“Police and community relations struggle at the best of time, so this would only further stretch this.”
A Victoria Police review has earmarked 45 country police residences for closure, including the Portarlington residence.
The review ruled the homes “surplus to requirements”.
Police command needs State Government approval to sell the homes.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said sale of the residences would not lead to closure of police stations.
But Ms Hayes said loss of the residence would heighten insecurity among Portarlington’s demographic of many aged residents and single parents.
“We’d be voicing some opposition,” she said.
“We’ve got an ageing population and a number of single parents in town who need reassurance of safety and security.
“A healthy community is one that feels safe and secure knowing there are people around to assist, be it neighbours or police.”
Ms Hayes said loss off the residence would also reduce the town’s chances of attracting another resident policeman.
“The closure would be disappointing for police and the community, as the residence is an added incentive and an attraction to police members with families.”
A spokesperson for Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron said State Government had yet to receive a proposal from the force on the sale of residences.
“Our understanding is Victoria Police is looking at some police residences which they believe are no longer needed.
“It could be legitimate but we won’t know until we look at the proposal.”