Crime low, community engagement high

Crime is close to an all-time low in the shire, with data showing the second lowest figures in the last decade. In comparison neighbouring Benalla saw crimes surge 14.6 per cent on the back of an increase in breaches of family violence orders and drug possession offences. Wangaratta recorded a 5.1 per cent increase in incidents according to the figures, with the city’s crime rate based on population remaining at a 10-year high. Breach of family violence orders and criminal damage remained the rural city’s most common offences increasing slightly on last year. And Wodonga jumped by 13 per cent due to a rise in thefts from motor vehicle, criminal damage and breaches of family violence orders. Mansfield Police’s Senior Sergeant Steve Carden said he would love for the local force to be able to claim credit for the low crime rate, but attributes the numbers to an engaged local community who looks after each other. "The crime rate in the shire is very low in general, so similar to spikes in crime any drops relate to quite minimal base numbers which of course impact percentages," he said. What you do notice in the data is a change in order of the type of offences, said the Senior Sergeant. “More specifically breach of intervention orders have historically been quite high in the shire, but figures have dropped significantly over the documented period from 38 to 22 reported incidences,” he said. “This can largely be attributed to police actions with a couple of family violence recidivists held to account.” Snr Sgt Carden said the biggest offence category in the shire was now theft. Two of these incidences involved cars stolen from outside the shire and dumped here. “The vehicles were recovered here, but the number plates were missing and therefore the offence of stealing the number plates was recorded as having happened within the shire and added to our crime statistics,” he said. Amongst the stats, the Senior Sergeant called the stealing of a local tradie’s vehicle “reprehensible” with the four-wheel drive later recovered from Merrijig minus its tool. “You’re effectively stealing somebody’s livelihood,” the Snr Sgt said of the crime. However crimes like this were the anomaly, with Snr Sgr Carden crediting the low crime rate to the community as a whole. “It’s a very empowered community, and also an inclusive one,” he said. “There are multiple community organisations within the shire that assist or include people across all generations, and that engagement is one of our strengths. “We’ve got a youth club, strong sporting clubs and a very proactive arts and culture scene, along with that access to the great outdoors and activities like hunting, fishing and hiking, so there are multiple outlets for the community to find their niche and do their own thing. “It is something that you do find in some smaller communities, and it really contributes to that cohesiveness and connection. “Our community is one that looks after its own, and this is demonstrated when things happen. “Whether that is opposing the planning application for a McDonald’s or standing up against hospital amalgamations, the community joins together and makes their voice heard.” Despite crime rates notably increasing in Jamieson over the year-long period, the Snr Sgt attributes an increased police presence in recent weeks to the state highway patrol who have been focusing on the roads in and around the township with the goal to reduce road trauma. Such campaigns are in response to areas deemed high collision, with community concern pertaining to speeding vehicles on the Mansfield-Woods Point Road also taken note of. “One of the most significant causes of serious injury and fatality on our roads has been identified as ‘single points of non-compliance’,” said Snr Sgt Carden. “Drivers who are predominantly law-abiding and then have this moment where they do the wrong thing; lose concentration; make a single mistake and cause a crash. “So we’re reminding the community that when they get behind the wheel they need to maintain their focus and concentration. “Holding a licence is a privilege and with that privilege comes responsibility.” Operation Halo is a road safety initiative by Victoria Police focused on reducing road trauma involving vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. It was initially launched in 2012 and has been reintroduced at various times since then, with the operation currently targeting a range of behaviours that put these road users at risk, including speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe vehicles. Beyond highway patrol, the operation involves a whole-of police effort across all ranks. “And it seems to be working, holding people to account for their driving,” the Snr Sgt said. “Our fatalities at the moment – compared to the same time last year – are down 33 per cent.” With the current spike in visitation due to the onset of the snow season, Snr Sgt Carden said it is not unusual to experience an extra 10,000 vehicles on our roads over a weekend. A police presence on Chenery Street, as well as some of the more arterial roads over a recent weekend, was chosen for its high visibility with the operation intended to act more as a deterrent. “You drive around the corner and you see the blue, and it makes you question if you are doing the right thing,” he said. “It is part of the Halo effect. “We’re not waiting until motorists are doing over 100 on Mt Buller Road – although we do that as well. “It’s that realisation the cops are around, and hopefully it encourages better, safer driving.”

Crime low, community engagement high

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