Eyes on Emerald 24-7

By Russell Bennett
EMERALD residents can sleep easier knowing a 24-hour police watch will soon be on the lookout for hoons and vandals in the town, after a site was selected and money was set aside for a new multi-million dollar police station.
More than $6 million was last week allocated in the 2012-13 State Government budget for the new facility to be built at 386 Belgrave-Gembrook Road – near Emerald’s main shopping precinct.
Peter Nodin, an Emerald resident and long-time campaigner for an increased local police presence, said the announcement was “massive news”.
“We’ve been fighting for 12 years for this,” he said, referring to a petition signed by more than 3100 locals for a new police station more than a decade ago.
“Everything was labeled ‘too hard’ back then and there were even talks of closing the station before the new one in Pakenham was built.
“Governments are always making cutbacks but (Gembrook MP) Brad (Battin) got off his bum and did something.”
Cardinia Shire Council mayor and Ranges Ward councilor Ed Chatwin said the site chosen for the new station was previously earmarked for a four storey-medical centre.
“That would have not been within the characteristics of the town,” he said.
“It would have lost some of its charm.”
But Cr Chatwin said the recent announcement was “a great result”.
“A 24-7 police presence is important for this area because otherwise we have to get service from Pakenham and that takes 25 to 30 minutes,” he said.
“This is a great gain that gives the community a better sense of security.”
Cardinia Local Area Commander, Inspector John Thexton, said the new station would enhance Emerald police’s ability to deal with hoon driving, general road safety, and family violence incidents.
“At the present time local patrols go to the early hours of the morning at peak times,” he said.
“However, the additional resources accommodated in the new station will extend this local coverage to 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Insp Thexton said the new station would see additional police resources in Emerald, Avonsleigh, Cockatoo, and Gembrook and lead to quicker response times to incidents in these areas.
He said Cardinia Highway Patrol also regularly patrolled hills roads and the recently-formed Safer Suburbs Tasking Unit would provide even more assistance to local officers.