Re-establish police shopfront, says chamber

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has called for quick action by the new NSW Government for the re-establishment of the Umina Beach Police shop front following commitments made during the NSW State Election.

"The Chamber welcomes the commitment made by the NSW Liberal Party during the campaign for the re-opening of the Umina Beach Police shop front and now looks forward this being implemented as quickly as possible to strengthen the police presence in the town centre," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"From the business community's perspective, you can never have too many police and facilities so the re-instatement of the police shop front will be a welcome addition to the town.

"However, we hope that the new shop front will be properly resourced with a police presence and an increase in police on the street using the facility as a base for operations," said Mr Wales.

"It must be said that since the introduction of the Peninsula CCTV cameras in Umina Beach, there is anecdotal evidence that the incidence of crime in Umina Beach has fallen.

"Perhaps the introduction of the Umina police shop front will further reduce the crime rate and ensure that the resurgence of Umina as a retailing centre goes from strength to strength," he said,

Mr Wales said that there is no time to waste as vacant retail space is at a premium in the middle of the Umina shopping centre.

"The challenge for the NSW Police Service is to identify an appropriate location for the shop front and ensure that adequate funds are available to resource the new police facility," said Mr Wales.

Media release, 1 April 2011 Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce