By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM and Hobsons Bay commuters are being dudded by the State Government’s Protective Service Officers policy, according to the State Member for Altona, Jill Hennessy.
Ms Henessy said people who regularly use Werribee and Hoppers Crossing train stations are missing out because the Baillieu Government has bungled the roll out of what was considered its flagship law and order policy.
Ms Hennessy said Protective Service Officers cannot be deployed to most local stations because the Baillieu Government has failed to develop the details of the policy and invest in crucial facilities such as toilets and detention facilities.
“The Government said PSOs would be deployed to stations where they were needed most, but Victoria Police can’t do this because most suburban stations don’t have the proper facilities,” Ms Hennessy said.
“Instead, the PSOs are being sent to inner city stations, that are already policed and which are staffed until the last train service each day.
“When will the Baillieu Government start upgrading stations so that PSOs can begin duty in the areas where most commuters actually get off trains after dark?”
Ms Hennessy said the PSO recruitment process was already behind schedule.
“With the current rate of recruitment, it will take nearly 60 years to fill all 940 PSO positions that the Baillieu Government promised before the 2010 election,” she said.
“Mr Baillieu needs to start being honest with local commuters and outline when the Altona, Laverton, Hoppers Crossing, or any other local train station, will see PSOs patrolling the platform as promised.”
Star contacted the State Government for comment but they did not respond by deadline.
