“Perceptions” of increasing crime and two road deaths so far this year have prompted dual police operations on the Bellarine Peninsula.
The first, Operation Satellite, would continue until the end of the year amid crime fears in “smaller Bellarine communities”, police announced on social media this week.
The operation was in response to “perceptions of increased crime rates”, the post revealed.
“Bellarine Police officers will have a more visible presence right across the Bellarine,” police said.
“Increased foot patrols in the smaller communities will enable locals to speak directly to officers and share their concerns and ideas. Police will also focus on road safety and other safety concerns.”
Operation Satellite would have dual benefits for the community, police said.
“This highly visible police presence will not only provide locals the opportunity to liaise with police directly, the proactive nature of this operation increases perceptions of safety and any undesirable actions may be thwarted due to increased police activity in the smaller communities.
Patrols of “larger townships” on the peninsula would continue throughout Operation Satellite, police said.
The second initiative, Operation Backroads, followed the deaths of two people in a fiery smash at Mannerim in February, police said.
A passer-by found the victim’s cars on fire in a paddock beside the road after the apparently collided after dark on Portarlington-Queenscliff Rd.
Operation Backroads would target routes that local drivers used to shorten trips or avoid detection, police said.
“This ongoing operation for Bellarine Police will focus on driver behaviour, especially on the back roads around the Bellarine – the local short cuts that might save you time, and (which are used) when you might infringe on the law, like going more than a few kilometres over the speed limit.
“There will be dedicated patrols by local police traffic cars on the back roads all across the Bellarine to ensure people are complying with speed limits and other road rules.
“One road fatality is one too many. However, on the Bellarine this year already two families have been impacted by road trauma with two people losing their lives on local roads.
“This operation aims to reduce road trauma and assist in creating a safer community for us all.
“When driving around the Bellarine, whether on the main roads or the back roads, drive at safe and legal speeds that are appropriate for the road and traffic conditions, separate drinking from driving, stay alert, and put hand-held phones away.”
