Published Wednesday, 21 February, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
BAYSIDE BOOST TO POLICING WITH OFFICIAL OPENING OF NEW HEMMANT BEAT
Police Minister Judy Spence and the Member for Lytton, Paul Lucas, today officially opened the doors to the new $460,000 Hemmant Police Beat.
They were joined by Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson at the Macedon Street police Beat, which has been operating since September 2006.
Ms Spence said the Beat had already made a big difference to the Bayside community, with Beat officer Senior Constable Darren Brown responding regularly to trail bike complaints and industrial break and enter offences.
“This is the 49th Neighbourhood police Beat now operating in Queensland, and what these Beats do is enable police officers to live among the community and develop strong community-policing partnerships to solve and reduce local crime issues,” Ms Spence said.
“Hemmant has become a growth area with new industrial and housing estates, and this substantial change in recent years brings with it unique policing challenges and opportunities.
“Senior Constable Brown brings with him broad knowledge and experience of the area, as his previous position was in the Wynnum Criminal Investigation Branch.
“I encourage all local residents to make good use of this facility and seek advice from police, report crime and discuss local policing issues. This Beat is an opportunity for locals to become more involved in the safety of their own community.”
Mr Lucas thanked Senior Constable Brown for his work, saying while the Bayside already enjoyed low crime rates, the Beat would further assist in keeping crime low and improving public safety.
“Trail bike complaints have been a major focus for Senior Constable Brown and I am pleased to hear that he is planning to complete a Queensland Police Service trail bike course so that he can patrol the bushland areas of Hemmant and Lytton to respond to these complaints,” Mr Lucas said.
“That is sure to put the trail bike hoons on notice.
“Senior Constable Brown has also been paying close attention to traffic matters such as speeding through the school zone on Hemmant-Tingalpa Road, and was also involved in a major RBT and general traffic enforcement operation in November on the main roads leading in and out of Hemmant.
“That operation, which involved police from Wynnum Station, Wynnum District Response Team and Wynnum District Traffic Branch, conducted 142 RBTS, issued 74 infringement notices for a range of offences and made four arrests.
“Police report that operation led to a drop of reported crime in and around the Hemmant suburb, both during and after its completion.”
Mr Lucas said similar operations were being planned for the coming months to target traffic and crime issues including industrial break and enter offences.
Mr Atkinson said it was vital to ensure that the Queensland Police Service was serving the needs of the community.
“We are counting on local residents to help make this Beat a great success by sharing information and making the best possible use of police in your community,” Mr Atkinson said.
“Activities such as the proactive traffic operations particularly targeting speeding and drink driving were introduced as a direct result of community feedback.”
The Hemmant Police Beat will operate Monday to Friday during standard business hours, but will remain flexible to meet the needs of the local community and may involve occasional Saturday and Sunday openings.
A blue phone outside the Beat operates 24 hours a day, and will divert to the Wynnum Police Station.
The Police Beat program was initially trialled in the south-east corner of the state and the success of the trial led to the program being rolled out statewide.
Media contact – Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287 (Minister Spence’s office)
3015 2444 (Police Media)
They were joined by Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson at the Macedon Street police Beat, which has been operating since September 2006.
Ms Spence said the Beat had already made a big difference to the Bayside community, with Beat officer Senior Constable Darren Brown responding regularly to trail bike complaints and industrial break and enter offences.
“This is the 49th Neighbourhood police Beat now operating in Queensland, and what these Beats do is enable police officers to live among the community and develop strong community-policing partnerships to solve and reduce local crime issues,” Ms Spence said.
“Hemmant has become a growth area with new industrial and housing estates, and this substantial change in recent years brings with it unique policing challenges and opportunities.
“Senior Constable Brown brings with him broad knowledge and experience of the area, as his previous position was in the Wynnum Criminal Investigation Branch.
“I encourage all local residents to make good use of this facility and seek advice from police, report crime and discuss local policing issues. This Beat is an opportunity for locals to become more involved in the safety of their own community.”
Mr Lucas thanked Senior Constable Brown for his work, saying while the Bayside already enjoyed low crime rates, the Beat would further assist in keeping crime low and improving public safety.
“Trail bike complaints have been a major focus for Senior Constable Brown and I am pleased to hear that he is planning to complete a Queensland Police Service trail bike course so that he can patrol the bushland areas of Hemmant and Lytton to respond to these complaints,” Mr Lucas said.
“That is sure to put the trail bike hoons on notice.
“Senior Constable Brown has also been paying close attention to traffic matters such as speeding through the school zone on Hemmant-Tingalpa Road, and was also involved in a major RBT and general traffic enforcement operation in November on the main roads leading in and out of Hemmant.
“That operation, which involved police from Wynnum Station, Wynnum District Response Team and Wynnum District Traffic Branch, conducted 142 RBTS, issued 74 infringement notices for a range of offences and made four arrests.
“Police report that operation led to a drop of reported crime in and around the Hemmant suburb, both during and after its completion.”
Mr Lucas said similar operations were being planned for the coming months to target traffic and crime issues including industrial break and enter offences.
Mr Atkinson said it was vital to ensure that the Queensland Police Service was serving the needs of the community.
“We are counting on local residents to help make this Beat a great success by sharing information and making the best possible use of police in your community,” Mr Atkinson said.
“Activities such as the proactive traffic operations particularly targeting speeding and drink driving were introduced as a direct result of community feedback.”
The Hemmant Police Beat will operate Monday to Friday during standard business hours, but will remain flexible to meet the needs of the local community and may involve occasional Saturday and Sunday openings.
A blue phone outside the Beat operates 24 hours a day, and will divert to the Wynnum Police Station.
The Police Beat program was initially trialled in the south-east corner of the state and the success of the trial led to the program being rolled out statewide.
Media contact – Alison Smith 3239 6218 / 0439 673 287 (Minister Spence’s office)
3015 2444 (Police Media)