Mall outpost for cops crack down on thugs

A police “hub” will give officers a front-line battle station to fight violent crime in Geelong’s mall.
Federal Member for Corio Richard Marles announced funding this week to build the hub, along with expansion of the central city’s surveillance camera network and a supervised taxi rank in Brougham Street.
Mr Marles said Federal Government would give City of Greater Geelong $300,000 to split between the police hub, surveillance cameras and taxi rank.
Mr Marles said he would “welcome” use of the money for the new police outpost. City by-laws officers and tourist information volunteers would also staff the facility.
The centre would sit next to a 7-Eleven store at the corner of Little Malop and Moorabool streets.
The police hub would initially open between 8am and 5pm, Mr Marles said.
The Liberals had promised in the lead up to November’s federal election to establish a police “kiosk” in the mall if voters re-elected the party.
The promise was on top of $300,000 from a returned Liberal Government for extra surveillance cameras.
Labor refused to match either commitment before the election.
After the election Mr Marles began lobbying the new Labor Government for $300,000 to spend on security improvements in central Geelong.
“The Rudd Government understands that local knowledge is integral in seeking to stamp out crime and anti-social behaviour in local communities, which is why the Federal Government is pleased to provide funding for the City of Greater Geelong,” Mr Marles said.
Mr Marles’ announcement followed a series of stabbings, bashings and brawls in the city centre.
Last month Matthew Kent was assaulted in Malop Street while waiting for a bus to his Corio home. The 36-year-old’s skull was fractured in two places during the brutal attack.
Mr Kent, who has a 14-year-old son, was rushed to the Geelong Hospital and later flown to Melbourne for major surgery to relieve pressure on his brain before going into an induced coma.