Tuesday 16 May 2017
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh joined with business and community members this morning to launch a petition calling for more police resources in Kyabram.
Mr Walsh said the current number of operational police was inadequate and that many people in the community were unsatisfied with the police presence in Kyabram.
He said Daniel Andrews and his city-centric Labor Government were soft on crime and they had left rural communities extremely vulnerable.
“Many local businesses and community groups have found themselves the victim of break-ins in recent times and break-ins are now occurring on a regular basis “ Mr Walsh said.
“The Caltex Service Station and the Kyabram Club are the latest victims of violent break-ins over the past weekend.”
President of the Kyabram Chamber of Commerce Miles Gould said local police officers were overworked and understaffed and it was taking a toll on them and the whole community.
“The business community in particular is fed up with the constant crime and the threat to their livelihood and potentially their lives “ Mr Gould said.
“Law and order in Kyabram is clearly out of control and this is not what rural communities should have to endure.”
The petition calls for the Andrews Labor Government to increase police presence and numbers in rural communities improve response times to 000 calls impost harsher penalties for crime to reflect community values and increase rehabilitation and support resources for drug users in rural settings who have committed crimes.
Anyone wanting to obtain a copy of the petition can download it from here.
Copies are also available at the Kyabram Lucky Lotto 129 Allan Street Kyabram or by contacting the Murray Plains electorate office at 496 High Street Echuca on 5482 2039.
Mr Walsh said he would present the signed petitions to the Victorian Parliament in late June.
