Police attention for Peninsula

Police superintendent Bob Waites, Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews and some local business people met recently at Umina and Ettalong CBD areas to discuss policing issues.

Superintendent Bob Waites announced at the meeting that he had arranged for inspector Phil McCamley and community officer Senior Sergeant Irene Juergens, to work closely with the business people and residents of the Peninsula to find ways and means of combating crime and vandalism.

Ms Andrews said this arrangement would be put into place as a matter of urgency and she called upon the local community to co-operate with police officers.

"Crime and vandalism in our area will only be reduced if there is a partnership between the police and the local community," Ms Andrews said.

"It is impossible for the police, who are doing a wonderful job, to work alone.

"They need the co-operation of community-minded people so that they can tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, which is of concern to local business people and residents alike."

President of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Mr Matthew Wales, said: "The Chamber of Commerce had no idea that this meeting took place or who initiated it."

He said the Chamber was told the police were under-resourced and under-staffed and that the centralised dispatch system of Brisbane Water Patrol was working.

"However, we don't know if the system works or that they are under-resourced because we don't have access to good statistics," he said.

Mr Wales said: "The community want three things from its police force, police in the police station, police on the beat and the expectation of reasonable response times when police are called.

"The trick for the NSW Police Service is to deliver these things and still be efficient.

"We need a full complement of police.

"Of the 202 police officers in Brisbane Water Patrol, over 50 are on sick leave, stress leave or light duties.

"The Chamber has been told we will not get more police."

Ms Andrews said: "The police officers will be talking to business people and local residents over the next few weeks seeking their co-operation in setting up Business Watch and extending Neighbourhood Watch groups throughout the Peninsula area."

She said a Business Watch had started at Umina, but collapsed for various reasons.

"We would like to resurrect it," she said.

"Inspector Phil McCamley will be sent down to inspect the area," she said.

Mr Wales said Business Watch had continued to operate and did not need "resurrection".

Ms Andrews said there was more police in the area with the inclusion of Highway Patrol officers to perform general duties in recent months.

"Unfortunately, every call to the police has to be prioritised," she said.

"For example, a domestic violence situation with life at stake, possibly children, would be a high priority.

"There probably will never be enough police to cover everything."

Ms Andrews said police numbers would be increased in the area over the school holidays, which was a particularly bad time for crime and vandalism on the Peninsula.

"Sixteen police will be seconded from the Chatswood area.

"There are also a lot of other strategies that also help combat crime like the recently-announced drug strategy, and liaising with the local community and Gosford Council."

Ms Andrews said members of the community who were interested in assisting their community in this way were asked to contact her office on 4342 4122.

November 14