By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM residents will receive some expert tips on how to keep themselves and their property safe later this month thanks to a new community initiative.
The Manor Lakes Residents Association will be hosting a community safety forum, where a highly experienced police officer will share his personal tips for safety.
Senior Sergeant Craig McDonald, the Crime Prevention Officer for the North West Metro Division 2, said residents will hear what they can do by themselves to make their homes and cars less likely to be targets of theft.
“After 25 years in the job I know how many victims unknowingly contribute to their own crimes,” Sen Sgt McDonald said.
“What I want to see is when people leave their homes for the day they bring it up to a standard that I would be happy with as a police officer.”
Sen Sgt McDonald said people who attend the Crime Prevention and Community Safety session would be given a checklist of ways they can make their houses safer.
“When someone has their house broken into it is enough to make them feel violated and they are usually very distraught, even if nothing has been stolen,” he said.
“It upsets them hugely, and that’s what people don’t realise until it happens to them.”
Wyndham Councillor and former police officer, Peter Gibbons, said the session would be a chance for residents to work with police.
“There are a lot of things we can do together to build on our own strengths,” Cr Gibbons said.
“If each of us can do anything to assist each other in the community, then that is what it is all about.”
The session will be held at the Wyndham Vale Community Learning Centre at 86 Manor Lakes Boulevard in Wyndham Vale on Saturday 15 June from 2 to 4pm.
