Hillside residents will consider hiring private security guards to patrol their streets amid fears there aren’t enough police on the beat.
A group of men, who have been patrolling neighbourhoods at night, told a recent community safety meeting they had been responsible for thwarting six aggravated burglaries during one weekend.
But they say they have been pressured by police to stop.
Another speaker at the meeting said a group of residents was now investigating whether to hire security guards.
“A few of us have had brief discussions on [hiring security guards] – if it does go ahead, it’s something that’s going to be in accordance with the police,” the speaker said.
Residents say they’re frustrated Victoria Police is not adequately resourcing the Caroline Springs and Melton areas, leaving them feeling obliged to take matters into their own hands.
“Why does the east have one police for 700 people, and we have one police for 1200?” one asked.
As previously reported by
Star Weekly, there are 76 first-response officers in the area – well below the state average according to the police association.
An extra 55 officers are needed to be on par with the average police per population ratio, and a further 81 officers to keep up with growth.
In a statement, Victoria Police spokesman Ben Radisich said there is “no need” for residents to conduct patrols or hire private security guards.
“We want to assure the community that we are absolutely focused on providing safe environments for all Victorians,” he said.
“There is no need for communities to feel as though they need to conduct local patrols or engage security firms. Victoria Police provides a professionally co-ordinated, 24-hour response to any of the community’s issues.”
State Police Minister Lisa Neville said an extra 30 frontline officers were patrolling the north-west region after dark in response to a spate of aggravated burglaries.
She said police had made a dent in the crimes and they believed they had arrested the “ringleaders”.
“Police are out there, they’re conscious of these issues, and that’s why they’ve got extra patrols.”
Ms Neville and Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton are expected to meet with Hillside residents “very soon”.
An extra 300 frontline members funded in this year’s state budget are not expected to be deployed to stations until next year.
