Altona Meadows residents fed up with crime are starting to map out hotspots in their suburb and conduct night patrols to deter criminals.
Spearheaded by Marlo Jueco, the initiative has been taken up by residents who have sent him details and locations of crimes they have experienced to help identify where patrols are most needed.
Mr Jueco said he was moved to act after his partner’s parked car was written off by a speeding unregistered car and out of concern that she could come to harm after he heard about other crimes in the area.
“A lot of people agreed with me and people who were affected started patrolling their own areas,” he said.
Mr Jueco said that after mapping crimes, he had noticed many were occurring close to main roads.
“It’s not within the centre of Altona Meadows, so I suppose it leads me to believe that it could be outsiders that are just opportunistic, coming in, doing their damage and then driving off,” he said.
“Break-ins have happened … a lot of vandalism and property damage.
“In Merton Street, from the roundabout on Victoria Street down to the tennis courts, multiple cars out the front were vandalised with spray paint, and same with the house fronts plus a couple of broken windows.”
Mr Jueco is patrolling his own block, bounded by Balaclava Avenue, Victoria Street, Trafalgar Avenue and Merton Street. But he says he’s not a vigilante.
“I’m not out there to do this for any other reason than just to contribute to my own community. I know there are a lot of elderly people here who can’t do much about this kind of stuff.
“If nothing’s done about it, it’s just going to get worse.
“I know a couple of people have contacted the police and told them about vandalism and speeding around here, and there’s been no extra patrols whatsoever.
“Unfortunately, it’s going to take one of us to risk ourselves to get noticed.”
Hobsons Bay police’s Inspector Michelle Young said residents taking the law into their own hands was of great concern.
“I haven’t heard of this, but it would be most concerning as this gentleman would be working outside of any legislation and may actually be putting himself and/or others at risk,” she said.
“Victoria Police remain committed to providing police service to the residents of Hobsons Bay.
“This may include a visible presence, covert presence, proactive activities and response. In this, residents may not always see a marked police car, but they can be confident that police are in their area.
“Residents can be confident that Hobsons Bay is a safe area to live, and it’s unfortunate that one or two instances may change this perception.”
Crime statistics for 2015 showed a 3 per cent drop in reported offences in Altona Meadows and a 3.4 per cent decline overall for Hobsons Bay.
Crimes mapped by the Altona Meadows neighbourhood patrol since January
- Balaclava Avenue – Fences vandalised
- Everingham Way – Break-ins
- Featherby Way – Vehicle burnt
- Harrison Court – Tools stolen
- Kiora Street – Tyres slashed on multiple vehicles
- Kurrajong Drive – Tyres slashed, roller shutters graffitied
- Linden Street – Tyres slashed on multiple vehicles
- Merton Street – Multiple vehicles and houses graffitied
- Mildenhall Court – Multiple cars graffitied and vandalised
- Sommers Drive – Tyres slashed on multiple vehicles
- Victoria Street – Parked car written off, fences vandalised, fire lit on roundabout
