By YASEMIN TALAT
THIS week will mark the one-year anniversary of Protective Services Officers at Watergardens Train Station.
Since the deployment of PSOs at Watergardens Station and across most stations on the Sunbury Line there has been significant drop in anti-social behaviours.
“We are really happy with the Protective Services Officers at Watergardens station,” said Acting Inspector Pat Allen from Victoria Police.
“Since their deployment a year ago, we have seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour and many members of the public have made it a point to let us know that they now feel safer at the station.”
PSOs Dario Dinapoli and Ron Jones, who both embraced the role as PSO 12 months ago, said the drop in anti-social behaviour also influenced an increase in community safety and confidence in PSOs.
“I’ve seen a great change in behaviour,” Mr Jones said.
“Young kids causing trouble around the station has dropped off,” he said.
“It still happens but very, very little.”
“And you see a lot more people on the trains now because of that too,” he said.
Mr Dinapoli said the PSOs had been welcomed by the community and acknowledged for their contribution to the increased safety at the train stations across the west.
He said that commuters were thankful for the PSOs presence.
“People like us being there,” Mr Dinapoli said. “And they know we’re there to help them.”
“They know that we are there on every line and we continue to build rapport with the locals,” he said.
According to Victoria Police data, from the PSOs first shift on 22 January 2013 to 30 June 2013, a total of 52 infringement notices were handed out at Watergardens Station.
Offences included drunk in public place, possessing an open container of alcohol, and smoking in restricted areas.
Results for the second half of the year are yet to be released.
But Mr Jones said the PSOs’ main job was to help commuters rather than be a “killjoy”.
“It’s taken a long time for people to understand exactly what we do and why we are here,” Mr Jones said. “We are here to help.”
“We’re here to help people get on the train and be safe and make sure they’re at the right station to get home,” he said.
“And you don’t see too many people getting hurt anymore at train stations because of it.”
Every station on the Sunbury line is now patrolled by PSOs, except for Middle Footscray, Keilor Plains and Diggers Rest.
The officers guard the stations in pairs between 6pm and the last train and are equipped with the same weapons, and training, as police.
Victoria Police are currently recruiting more Protective Service Officers. For more information visit http://www.policecareer.vic.gov.au/pso
