By XAVIER SMERDON
WYNDHAM residents and community leaders have called for security cameras to be urgently installed at Werribee Train Station to increase public safety.
It comes after Star revealed that on Thursday 6 March at about 4pm 10 cars parked near the station were vandalised, some so badly that they could not be driven and needed to be towed away.
The damage was done before Protective Services Officers started their shift at the station and without any other witnesses.
Angie Njoka told Star she felt unsafe at the station after she was hit by a man that stole her handbag last year.
“I was punched in the face when he tried to take my bag and I wouldn’t let go of it,” Ms Njoka said.
“It was late in the afternoon and I screamed but before anyone could help me he was gone.
“I think if there were cameras here maybe he wouldn’t have attacked me or at least the police would have a better chance of catching him.”
But Wyndham Council CEO Kerry Thompson said the council had previously rejected an offer from the State Government to install CCTV cameras at the station, but they had used them to deter illegal rubbish dumping throughout the municipality.
“The State Government has offered funding for Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the past, which require councils and organisations to submit written applications. Wyndham City has not applied for this funding as CCTV cameras would require considerable ongoing costs including monitoring and maintenance,” Ms Thompson said.
“Wyndham City has used mobile CCTV cameras in illegal dumping hotspots on an ad hoc basis. These cameras are moved between locations and are scheduled for use depending on staff availability and the need for monitoring in hotspots.”
Member for Tarneit Tim Pallas, whose office is located in Station Place where cameras would most likely be installed, said something needed to be done.
“These acts of vandalism are disgraceful,” Mr Pallas said.
“It is important for the Napthine Government to ensure commuter safety and security are top priorities, with rates of theft and assault at stations at a five year high.”
Chairman of the Wyndham Transport Advisory Committee and former Wyndham Mayor, John Menegazzo said a feasibility into installing CCTV cameras should be considered.
“In terms of public safety, if the cost is workable then I think it would be ideal,” Mr Menegazzo said.
“(Vandalism) is a major issue in the area and if CCTV cameras could be used to identify someone then I think it’s something that the council need to look at.”
The Department of Transport was contacted for comment but they did not respond before deadline.
