PROTECTIVE Services Officers at Altona train station are enjoying a honeymoon period in their first week on the job.
Andrew Bartlett and Yariv Barush, who started patrolling the station on Tuesday last week, say they have issued a few warnings and one fine for drinking in public, but have received a heroes’ welcome.
“Everyone seems to love us,” Mr Bartlett said.
“We feel a little bit like celebrities — people wanting to have their photos taken with us — and everyone seems very accommodating and welcoming here.
“We’re not here to give people fines and boost up revenue but where warranted we’ll certainly do it; there is a certain level where you can’t issue any more discretion. It’s a huge problem in Victoria so we all have to do our bit there, and so I guess that’s where we’ll draw the line and say we have to write this person up.”
A man was fined $207 for having an open stubby. “If we had seen him sipping it in front of us that’s an additional $345 so it’s quite expensive,” Mr Bartlett said.
“We look forward to being here for the long haul. It’s not a job for somebody who’s very reserved and introverted. If you like to be out there engaging with people and talking all night, it’s a perfect job, and we certainly like it. And being up and about, not sitting down the whole time. And being somewhere where people are genuinely happy to see you. I didn’t have that in my old job.
“I didn’t have people saying ‘Great job, good on you, thank God you’re here’.”
The officers will work from 6pm-2am weekdays.
Mr Barush said small business owners in Pier Street had expressed their gratitude for the PSO presence in Altona. “People in Altona are very nice and accommodating. It’s a very nice area,” he said.
From February to December last year, police made nearly 1400 arrests after being alerted by PSOs.
PSOs are expected to arrive at Westona station by the year’s end, once office infrastructure is in place.
