By Charlene Gatt
MORE than half of all City of Maribyrnong residents do not feel safe walking around the municipality at night, according to exclusive Victoria Police statistics.
Figures obtained by Star through Freedom of Information revealed that only 43 per cent of people feel safe walking through the streets of Maribyrnong at night. During the day, the figure jumps to 91 per cent.
The statistics were replicated on a smaller scale at home, with 95 per cent of residents feeling safe at home during the day, and 78 per cent at night.
The statistics were included in the National Survey of Community Satisfaction with Policing, which covered the 12 months until September this year.
The figures come after a Star report last week that revealed almost three quarters of commuters who use Maribyrnong’s public transport system feel unsafe at night.
“Unfortunately, it’s obviously a reflection of how the community feels, and I guess we need to better communicate what we’re actually trying to do, or what we are doing, to hopefully provide some reassurance about our targeting the particular hot spots and danger times,” Footscray Police Acting Inspector Steve Reynolds said.
Acting Insp Reynolds said exercising common sense was an important tool in preventing crime, and urged residents to be careful of what personal information they put online, and make sure their homes were properly locked up and secure over the Christmas period.
“If you’re going to go away, arrange for someone to collect your mail, get someone to mow your lawn – these simple things can reduce your risk of being burgled,” he said.
Acting Insp Reynolds also said drivers should not leave any valuables in their cars.
In other numbers, two per cent of respondents admitted to driving while under the influence of drugs, 14 per cent used their mobile phones behind the wheel, 13 per cent admitted to speeding and 18 per cent drove while tired.
