By Luke Voogt
Local MP Simon Ramsay has called for more police in Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula as coastal populations get set to swell with tourists over summer.
The Member for Western Victoria said the recent State Government allocation of 10 police to Geelong was not enough to deal with the “summer tourism onslaught”.
“A handful of police over numerous stations is barely recognisable to most people,” he said.
“The police are clearly stretched with the increasing daily workload – let alone the extra demands that summer brings to the region.”
In Parliament on Tuesday, Mr Ramsay urged Police Minister and Bellarine MP Lisa Neville to boost police resources immediately.
“What the region really needs is a significant boost to numbers, not a modicum handout,” he said.
But Ms Neville accused Mr Ramsay of fear-mongering, citing this year’s overall crime decrease of 2.9 per cent in Geelong.
“Local communities remember only too well the contribution of his government during 2010 and 2014 – four consecutive years of crime increases, and police station closures across the Bellarine.”
The State Government had funded 25 additional police for Geelong during the past three years, she said.
“New police out of the additional 2729 will continue to be allocated to areas of greatest need which will include regional cities like Geelong.”
An additional 23 Police Custody Officers at Geelong Police Station this year had allowed local command to increase patrols in the city.
“In terms of the summer season, local police command is well prepared to keep the community and any visitors safe.”
