Mayor’s police petition

Hamish Heard
MAYOR Bruce Harwood wants the community to stand up and be counted in a fight against alcohol-fuelled violence following an outbreak of brutal attacks in central Geelong.
Cr Harwood, a detective on leave while he serves as mayor, called for residents to sign a council petition demanding Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon and State Government boost police numbers in Geelong.
“If we’re serious about calling for more police numbers we need to state it loud and clear,” Cr Harwood said yesterday.
His comments follow a nightmare month in central Geelong that left a young woman with serious injuries following a brutal rape and several young bash victims hospitalised.
“Let’s show the powers that be that Geelong will not settle for less than we deserve,” Cr Harwood said yesterday.
“This is an opportunity for everyone in our community to register their concern and express their desire to receive an increase in police presence.”
He said the community wants more call for more uniformed officers patrolling the streets on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Cr Harwood issued the statement yesterday after earlier meeting with councillors.
“Your council is taking positive action to clearly state that violence and anti-social behaviour is not tolerated in our community in any way,” he said.
Divisional Superintendent Andrew Allen, the region’s new top cop, said a review of police numbers was already on the agenda.
“This is part of a discussion I had with Bruce Harwood three weeks ago when I indicated I would certainly be looking at resourcing,” Supt Allen said.
He said police had invited City Hall representatives to participate in a forum aimed at improving community safety to be held next week.
“If the mayor or council want to write and put these things forward then that’s their prerogative but the forum next week has been structured to discuss and find meaningful outcomes for these issues.”
Copies of the petition can be signed at any of the City’s Customer Service Centres and other city outlets, Cr Harwood said.
The Mayor said council would review the quality of safety camera infrastructure in the city, support the safe city taxi rank, upgrade public lighting in central Geelong and work with other key partners on the Geelong Safety Committee to investigate broader issues influencing violent and criminal behaviour.